Weak Tory response to 'Humble Address' continues their worrying trend against parliamentary democracy
3 min read
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Jon Trickett MP accuses the Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington of being 'evasive' on the issue of publishing the full final legal advice of the Attorney General to the Government on the Brexit framework agreement.
The next few weeks will shape the future direction of this country. But whether this will be determined by the democratic principle is in question.
Today, the Cabinet Office Minister, David Lidington, was evasive on the issue of publishing the full final legal advice of the Attorney General to the Government on the Brexit framework agreement.
Failure to do so would undermine the will of Parliament.
Yesterday, the Commons approved a ‘Humble Address’ put forward by the Labour Party. This forces the Government to publish “any legal advice in full, including that provided by the Attorney General, on the proposed withdrawal agreement on the terms of the UK’s departure from the European Union including the Northern Ireland backstop and framework for a future relationship between the UK and the European Union.”
When this morning I questioned the Minister whether he would abide by this vote, he gave the impression that he would not, promising instead only to “reflect on the outcome of the vote”.
This is simply not good enough, and stands in stark contrast to the importance placed on the successful motion by the Speaker of the House.
The Speaker said this afternoon that the vote was “not an expression of opinion” but an expression of the “will of this House”, and that this “will must be respected by the executive branch”.
In this instance, and many times before, our current Government has shown disregard for Parliament. In the context of the possible strengthening of executive powers that may accompany Brexit, and the collapse of public trust in our democratic institutions, such an attitude is deeply worrying and potentially damaging.
How can the Government expect people to place their faith in Parliament, if they themselves do not respect its rights, hard won and carefully guarded?
Indeed, it is likely that the framework Brexit agreement, or something similar to it, will eventually make its way to Parliament, where it will be put to a meaningful vote among MPs.
This of course was secured by the Labour Party, and we have repeatedly insisted on parliamentary sovereignty and the need for proper accountability throughout the Brexit process. It is clear that we need to make sure whatever deal is secured works for the millions not the millionaires.
As we begin a period of critical importance for this country, it is vital that the Government plays by the rules and allows MPs to play their proper role. We won’t shirk away from this, even though the Government continues to shirk from its responsibilities to Parliament.
If the Government is truly serious about respecting these, it must immediately confirm that it intends to respect the will of the House and publish the Attorney General’s legal advice when it is given.
Jon Trickett is the Labour MP for Hemsworth & Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office
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