Guildford’s Lib Dem Candidate Welcomes Article 50 Decision

Published on: 25 Jan, 2017
Updated on: 29 Jan, 2017

The Supreme Court, Westminster

In a press statement Zöe Franklin, Guildford’s Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, has welcomed yesterday’s announcement that the Supreme Court voted eight to three that Parliament must be consulted before Article 50 can be invoked by the government, giving all MPs the opportunity to vote on the triggering of Article 50.

Ms Franklin said: “Finally we have some clarity over what happens next in the Brexit process. The Conservative government have been trying to force on us a hard Brexit which will take us out of the single market, risking thousands of jobs and crucial funding streams, and was not what people believed they were voting for on June 23rd.

“In the case of Guildford and Cranleigh, where our community voted 56% in favour of remaining in the EU, it is especially clear that Brexit, let alone a “hard” Brexit, is not what residents want.”

The Supreme Court ruling comes after months of uncertainty following a legal challenge to the government’s right to trigger Article 50, and start the withdrawal process, without consulting parliament.

Ms Franklin continued: “The Liberal Democrats are clear that MPs being able to vote on and scrutinise the Brexit process is crucial. We are also clear that we will only support triggering Article 50 if the people of Britain are guaranteed a referendum on the deal at the end of the negotiating process, including the option to stay in the EU if the deal isn’t right for the country.

“Ultimately the Liberal Democrats still believe that there is no deal better than the one we have now inside the EU but it is up to the people to decide at the end of the process.

“Our MP, Anne Milton, was elected by her constituents on a manifesto which included a cast iron commitment to British membership of the single market. Now that the government has turned its back on that commitment, I am calling on Anne Milton to do the right thing and stand up for the views of Guildford’s residents by supporting the call for a referendum on the terms of the deal when it comes before Parliament.

Failing to do so puts the plans of her own party above the expressed desire of her residents who voted to remain in the EU and deserve to have their say on the final deal.”

Anne Milton MP and Guildford Labour have been invited to respond.

Responses to Guildford’s Lib Dem Candidate Welcomes Article 50 Decision

Stuart Barnes Reply

January 26, 2017 at 8:52 am

I think Ms Franklin has overlooked the point that the people have spoken and the instruction to all MPs and peers is to get us out of the failed EU asap. That means a clean exit – i.e. no single market, no customs union, no courts overruling our courts, etc.

It is ridiculous for the Liberals to continue to pretend that we did not know what we were voting for. We knew exactly and now want our instruction followed.

The court cases brought in this country by bad losing remoaners are irrelevant.
Paul Bishop Reply

January 26, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Have the Lib Dems been asleep for the last 18 months? The discussion has happened, the vote happened, and we’re leaving the EU.
John Armstrong Reply

January 27, 2017 at 5:28 pm

In a general election most people do not vote for the winning party. In this case not only did Brexit win almost 2/3 of the constituencies, which is in itself a landslide, we also won the popular vote.

So I am inclined to say, that if the vote had gone the other way those wanting Brexit would have been told to: “Put it in your pipe and smoke it.”

John Armstrong is the chair of Guildford Ukip
D Gregory Reply

January 30, 2017 at 1:30 pm

And this is why some people don’t vote. The country, rightly or wrongly, have voted to leave the EU. It is not up to individual MPs to to decide. So either MPs should do as the country has asked or give up the job.
Peter Gatford Reply

January 30, 2017 at 7:00 pm

I am a little saddened by the judgement of the outcome of the Supreme Court, on two counts:

Firstly, party manifestos have been quoted and the government was, amongst many other criteria, elected on the back of offering the electorate a referendum as to our choice to remain in the EU or not. The choice of the voters to select our next government as Conservative was clear, mainly at the expense of a party who wish to diminish further the sovereignty of this beautiful country of ours.

The Conservative government honoured this commitment by offering the referendum to the UK and the result is well known. The electorate gave a clear instruction to the government, who gave us that choice, to leave the EU. It should therefore be for the government to do as instructed.

The second opinion I have refers to the many vested interests that people have in us leaving, or not, the EU. Many have been given much media space to express their disappointment. But our Law Lords are well above all that and are required to determine cases purely on their legal judgement. This will correctly determine how the elected government and parliament proceeds with the terms of leaving.

However, it should be noted that the judges were split 8 to 3, so the legal judgement cannot have been black and white and this indicates personal views and interpretations must have played a part.
Sue Fox Reply

January 31, 2017 at 12:45 pm

I find the preceding comments extremely depressing: “Yah boo we won!” and anyone who wanted to Remain must just accept the results of a referendum in which both sides made false presumptions of the aftermath.

MPs are not delegates and should always vote with their beliefs. Remember the numerous attempts to bring back the death penalty in the past which failed.

Populism is bringing out the worst in people who now feel able to voice their prejudices and this weekend refuse entry to the United States to refugees and members of predominately Muslim states.

Shouldn’t we all remember to be tolerant, generous and accept that people matter regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender? Division is not a remedy for success for anyone.
- Paul Bishop Reply
  
  January 31, 2017 at 1:10 pm
  
  “Shouldn’t we all remember to be tolerant, generous and accept that people matter regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender? Division is not a remedy for success for anyone.”
  
  Exactly, and Brexit will allow this. Instead of discriminating against everyone from outside the EU, we will be able to treat the entire world outside of the UK as equals. No longer do we have to give arbitrary preference to people, just because of the country they are born in.
Brian Holt Reply

January 31, 2017 at 5:10 pm

So why do we bother to vote when the people who don’t agree with the result are still trying to get voters decision stopped? Even David Cameron himself said there can only be one referendum.

What right do MPs have to say they are right and the voters were wrong? It’s only their personal and party view. And no one knows what the outcome of Brexit will be.

If every time we vote the decision is not accepted it will do nothing to help with the low turnout at future elections.