Article 50 - Leaving The Eu

[Gromit]

Surely invoking Article 50 will have to be debated in Parliament where the majority of MPs are Remainers. As has been pointed out previously, the result of the Referendum was not binding.

Would they dare NOT to invoke it?

[Jackdaw33]

No, nor is there any need for a debate.

[Hypognosis]

Damn it! You're forcing me to read the #%^*g thing.

[Old_Geezer]

Unlikely. They'd pay come the next election and there'd be rioting on the streets.
The only possible way they'd get half a chance is if there was an election first and the next government said it wasn't bound by the previous government's referendum. But even then much the same consequences would result.

[DTCwordfan]

Yes it does - ultimately it's in the power of the PM (and Queen) but he/she would seek Parliamentary and the HoL approval - and therein lies the question of if and when it becomes enforced, the proposed 3 month hiatus that could see:

(i) a fellow EU member (Italy, France, The Neths, Denmark or Sweden asking for a referendum - and the change that this may trigger, especially concerning not Freedom of Movement but Freedom of Employment

(ii) the UK moving its benefit packages

(iii) Greece, or even worse as we would be pulled in, France (they owe us over Euros 250 bln, second to none

(iv) Other N-African/ME issues

(v) the US taking their EU trade deal off the table as it has significantly changed - now under review apparently

(vi) lesser so as an issue, what the SNP does - and Ireland, esp. over N.Ireland who may be 'twinned' with Scotland.

(vii) the resignation of plonkers like Junckers - who deserves to go after his undiplomatic rant yesterday.

There are many other factors that could be thrown in, but I could see a case of not invoking it. And the Irish went was it through 3 advisory referendums to get what the government wanted.

And, you know, Cameron could always be voted back into leader of the Tories and all that implies.

[DTCwordfan]

And yes, it may imply a general election but this has served to underpin 'may you live in interesting times' with the political churn - and I don't think it is finished yet.

[Hymie]

I’d forgotten all about the Irish having to be give three referendums until they came up with the required result – until DTCwordfan mentioned it.

Perhaps we could do something similar, and have the best of three.

[DTCwordfan]

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2016/04/27/what-the-uk-could-learn-from-irelands-eu-referendum-campaigns/

[bazwillrun]

^
i also remember that the irish government were threatened by the eussr that if they didnt get the required answer there would be consequences...

[Hypognosis]

Hah! Here's an piece about article 50 which gives everything… except the wording or article 50 (or even a link to it)

http://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/guid/01222100-3AE4-11E6-8EE8-98BA87EF9E72

Bizarrely, the moment of notification (of the EU) is the very point at which an exiting country loses the ability to participate in negotiating terms. If I read that bit correctly. The other countries get to set the terms and then let the clock run down.

It really is Mafia-esque.

[Hypognosis]

…except the wording OF article 50

sigh

[Zacs-Master]

http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-European-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html

[fiction-factory]

I was a leftie ABT but now the vote has taken place I think the last thing we need is the upheaval and uncertainty of a second referendum

[ToraToraTora]

gromit you lost For Funks Sake stop it.

[Hypognosis]

Lisbon Treaty, Article 218(3) which is referenced in Article 50.

http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-the-functioning-of-the-european-union-and-comments/part-5-external-action-by-the-union/title-5-international-agreement/506-article-218.html

Having read down to 218(11) which, in itself, reads like an all-purpose get-out for anything they don't like, I think the entire page needs referral to the Plain English campaign. (If that's still alive).

[Jackdaw33]

Quite clear to me that Parliament's approval is not required. Cameron could do it tomorrow.

[Zacs-Master]

Article 50

1. Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

[Paul22118]

If my MP tried to block article 50, it will be his last act as an MP - the British voter has found his/her voice.

[Davemano]

If Cameron had thought that a reversal of the result was likely I don't think he would have stepped down just yet.

[Jackdaw33]

Precisely. Where in our constitution does it state that Parliament must approve if the government wishes to repudiate a treaty? We have no written constitution; the government can do what it likes except change the law.

[Zacs-Master]

Interesting:
http://blogs.ft.com/david-allen-green/2016/06/14/can-the-united-kingdom-government-legally-disregard-a-vote-for-brexit/