STUC on the supreme court’s ruling on Article 50

January 24th 2017

STUC on the supreme court’s ruling on Article 50

January 24th 2017

Responding to the supreme court’s ruling on the triggering of Article 50 Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said:

“With this judgement the supreme court has recognised that the hard won rights of people across the UK are being put at risk by Brexit. This ruling makes clear that the UK Government cannot simply chart its own course with no reference to Parliament or the views of people across the country. It is right that there should be a debate in Westminster on the triggering of Article 50 but Parliament should also debate and vote on the negotiating priorities that the UK will pursue, particularly with regard to membership of the single market, workers rights and other social protections. It is simply unacceptable that a decision of this magnitude should be taken by the Prime Minister alone.

“The supreme court’s ruling does not remove the UK Government’s moral and democratic duty to involve the devolved institutions and to accommodate their priorities in the negotiations. The Brexit process is proving to be a test of our democracy and it is important that the Prime Minster lives up to her obligations to represent the country as a whole”

ENDS

For further information contact Helen Martin 0141 337 8100 hmartin@stuc.org.uk