InfoSearched
Published -
- September 18, 2019
- 10:14 am
The Supreme Court is hearing competing arguments about the legality of the prime minister’s suspension of Parliament.
The most senior judge in the UK, Lady Hale, says the case raises “a serious and difficult question of law”, as she and 10 other judges must decide whether advice Boris Johnson gave to the Queen about prorogation was lawful.
How might Brexit impact trade between the UK and the EU?
On Tuesday, the United Kingdom took a significant step towards leaving the European Union as Prime Minister Theresa May won a hard-fought vote in parliament.
May had to overcome opposition from pro-Brexit politicians in her own Conservative Party who had threatened to vote against her. She secured a narrow victory, with 324 MPs voting in favour of the legislation that will allow May to trigger Article 50, the legal mechanism that will begin the process of leaving the EU. 236 MPs voted against the bill.
Despite the result, the prime minister still faces a number of hurdles on the path to Brexit. There are concerns that triggering Article 50 will lead to difficulties for trade, as the EU warned that the UK will face a “very hefty” bill for leaving the bloc. Furthermore, May will have to negotiate a complex new relationship with the EU, which has said that it will not allow the UK to “cherry-pick” the best parts of membership.
Moreover, there is the possibility of a constitutional crisis, as Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would seek a new independence referendum for Scotland. The Scottish parliament rejected the bill, with every Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP voting against it.
Many politicians and experts say that the UK is facing a period of great uncertainty as it leaves the EU, with potentially huge implications for the economy and society as a whole. Despite this, the prime minister has sought to stress the potential opportunities for the country.
Speaking after the vote, May said it marked a “defining moment” for the UK. “We are now on the threshold of the most important negotiation for our country in a generation,” she said. “We have a plan, a timetable, and a commitment to deliver, and we are determined to make a success of it.”
Brexit has been one of the most polarizing and divisive issues in recent UK history, with bitter debates and disagreements from both sides. Tuesday’s vote was a major step in the process, but there is still much uncertainty and debate ahead. The question remains: How will this process play out and what will be the ultimate effects of Brexit on the UK and Europe?
