Posted: Wed 13th Sep 2017

Mark Tami – Why I voted against the ‘Great Repeal Bill’

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Sep 13th, 2017

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MPs voted in favour of the government’s EU withdrawal bill by 326 votes to 290 in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The Great Repeal Bill, announced by the government last October gets rid of the European Communities Act 1972. “It was this Act that put EU law above UK law”, said the Brexit Secretary.

David Davies MP Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union warned those MP’s not backing the EU Repeal Bill they would be voting for a ‘chaotic’ exit from the EU, in the end, he needn’t have worried the bill was passed at the first attempt with a majority of 36.

One MP who voted against the bill following a marathon debate at Westminster was Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, he like all other Labour’s MP’s was ordered to vote against the bill.

Seven Labour MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn’s order and voted with the government, 13 others abstained some commentators said the scale of the ‘rebellion’ shows a deep split over Brexit within Labour.

In a post on his website published today, 13th September Mark Tami has said he’s not attempting to block a democratic process or stop it happening he explains;

Late on Monday night I voted against the so called ‘Great Repeal Bill’ at its second reading. I did this not because I want to block or curtail Brexit, but because I want Parliament to have a meaningful say on Brexit negotiations.

The Bill in its current state has effectively side lined Parliament, and given the Government a carte blanche to push through whatever agenda they wish without it having to be appropriately scrutinised.

This could have a lasting effect on the democratic landscape of this country as it fundamentally alters the balance of power between Parliament and the Government.

Since the referendum result I have always said that I will push for the best possible deal for the people I represent.

However this unprecedented power grab by Government Ministers will limit the impact myself and other MPs can have on discussions.

I have always stated that I have accepted the referendum result and that it is not my intention to stop it from happening. I do however want to ensure living standards do not drop, jobs are safeguarded, workers’ rights are maintained and the environment is protected.

This Bill puts these responsibilities in the hands of Ministers and essentially makes Parliament surplus.

So please be assured that it was not an attempt to block a democratic process, as some individuals have declared it. It was instead an attempt to maintain Parliamentary sovereignty and maintain democracy at a much larger scale.

[/vc_column_text][vc_round_chart stroke_width=”2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Remain%2043.6%25%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2243.6%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22blue%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Leave%2056.4%25%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2256.4%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22pink%22%7D%5D” title=”Brexit: How Flintshire Voted”][vc_column_text]

Welsh Governments Position on the EU withdrawal Bill

First Minister Carwyn Jones formalised the Welsh Government challenge against the UK government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill to protect devolved powers.

‘The Welsh and Scottish Governments have worked jointly on their opposition to the bill and on Tuesday tabled a memorandum setting out their detailed analysis of the bill as it is currently drafted.

‘The EU (Withdrawal) Bill would see all EU laws which affect the UK brought on to the British statute book on the day of Brexit.

It would impose new constraints on the powers of the devolved nations and enable UK ministers to amend devolved legislation, bypassing the governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.’ A statement says.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“The EU (Withdrawal) Bill, as it currently stands, would allow the UK government to hijack powers which should come to Wales post-Brexit.

Our position is clear and unequivocal; we do not accept the bill in its current form and recommend that the Assembly does not grant its consent.

This is not about stopping Brexit. This is about protecting the interests of the people of Wales. We simply cannot back any law which would see Wales lose influence over areas that are rightfully ours to control.

We are ready and willing to work constructively with the UK government to reach agreement on the bill. But, if they continue to plough on regardless, they will spark a constitutional crisis, which they do not need and we do not want.

I urge David Davis and his colleagues in Whitehall to seriously consider our proposals and amend the bill so we can get on with the most important job in hand; securing the best possible Brexit deal for the whole of the UK.”

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