Search icon

News

03rd Nov 2016

MPs have to get a vote before Brexit can happen, the high court has ruled

This means there is now a chance we will not leave the EU after all.

Alex Finnis

The high court has ruled that MPs must get a vote on whether or not Britain should leave the EU before Brexit can go ahead.

The government has lost the legal case about whether it has the right to invoke Article 50 based purely off the result of the referendum in June, but have appealed the decision, which means it will now go to the supreme court.

What this means is there is now a chance we will not leave the EU after all, despite 52% of the public voting in favour of doing so.

However, the supreme court may overturn the high court’s decision.

High Court Judges Decide That The Prime Minister Can't Trigger Brexit Without MP's Approval

Founding partner of SCM Private LLP Gina Miller speaks after the High Court decides that the Prime Minister cannot trigger Brexit without the approval of MPs

 

If the decision stands, MPs will have to take a vote on whether to leave or not, and decide whether to go against public opinion and block Brexit for good.

Just after the news broke, Nigel Farage tweeted to say MPs will have “no idea [of the] level of public anger they will provoke” if they decide to vote against triggering Article 50.

Theresa May had originally stated that she wanted to formally begin the two-year process of leaving by March next year.

A government spokesperson said it was disappointed by the high court’s judgement.

https://twitter.com/EmilyPurser/status/794125084344590337

The pound rose by around 1% against the dollar when the high court’s decision was made public.

This story is developing, more to follow.

Topics:

Brexit,EU