May to publish Article 50 bill, Brexit white paper
UK Prime Minister Theresa May says the government is ready to publish a “white paper” on Brexit, as well as a bill that would seek the Parliament’s approval for kicking off the talks with the European Union (EU).
May made the announcement during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) at the Parliament on Wednesday, a day after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the lawmakers should give her the go-ahead before invoking the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
She also agreed in the session to lay out her plans for the departure in a white paper, a request she had declined in the past.
“I set out that bold plan for a global Britain last week and I recognize there is an appetite in this house to see that plan set out in a white paper," May said. "I can confirm to the house that our plan will be set out in a white paper."
According to May’s spokeswoman, the Article 50 bill could come as early as Thursday, although the time-frame of its progress through the Parliament remains unclear.
There are no rules about the contents of a white paper but according to May’s spokeswoman, it is likely to reflect the government’s “12 objectives” in its negotiations for the divorce.
The think tank Institute for Government has predicted that the Article 50 legislation will be ratified by both houses of the Parliament by late February or early March.
This falls perfectly in line with May’s promise to trigger the process by the end of March and finish it in two years.
Opposition parties have announced their plans to amend the legislation, but the government is hopeful that it would meet the PM’s deadline.
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn took May to task over her Brexit plans, which she laid out in detail last week.
Corbyn heaped scorn on May for not offering clear answers to his party’s concerns about the process, repeating his criticism of May’s plans for turning the UK into a “bargain basement.”
Last week, May said in case she cannot reach an optimal deal with the EU, she would ease tax rules to attract investments from all over the world.
Corbyn also charged that the premier had given in to pressure from all sides and was refusing to list her priorities for Brexit.
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