Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #WAB
Most recents (9)
My speech today on #WAB clause 26 and executive encroachment parliamentlive.tv/event/index/98… (transcript will follow here hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2020-01-…). The whole debate was gripping (by @UKHouseofLords standards) and well worth a look or read. /1
Clause 26 embodies two widespread errors in modern legislative practice: over-delegation, and the seeking of powers without a plan for how to use them. /2
What lit the blue touch paper here was the use of those sloppy and dangerous practices in an incredibly sensitive area: executive authority to direct the judges. The anger of senior judicial figures (though politely expressed) is palpable. /3
My speech at 2nd reading, on the sidelining of Parliament by the #WAB, is here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/8c…. The developing written record of the debate is here: hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2020-01-…. /1
Many interesting speeches early on including Barwell and Bridges from Govt benches, Darling and Beith from opposition, Kinnoull and Butler from cross-benches. /2
Clearly the Bill is imperfect: a major faultline is between those who say we should amend it (ie do our job) and those (the influential Cormack) who fear the long-term consequences. /3
With Lord Beith and Baroness Taylor I have signed Lord Pannick's amendments to the #WAB, referred to in this article: thetimes.co.uk/article/pm-try…. The full range of HL amendments so far is here publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill…: ours are to clause 26.
The "Members' Explanatory Statements" (though still optional) make these documents much easier to understand - helpfully, given the breakneck speed with which this Bill is being considered.
Second reading (when 80 of us will give our headline comments) is tomorrow. Committee stage (when amendments are tried out but not generally put to a vote) is Tues-Thurs this week. Report stage (when amendments are refined and sometimes put to a vote) is the following week.
Out now – EU Committee report on the revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, ahead of the start on Monday of @UKHouseofLords consideration of the #WAB: parliament.uk/business/commi…
The report highlights the powers of the new Joint Committee, which will oversee implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, and expresses concern at the lack of transparency of parliamentary oversight. 
The Committee is concerned that the rules for Northern Ireland’s interaction with both EU and GB will be resolved by the Joint Committee only after the Withdrawal Agreement has been ratified.
Does Boris Johnson want to be less constrained by parliament or not?
There are contradictions in the approach to the #WithdrawalAgreement Bill up for debate today
Johnson's majority of 80 means he can drop some constraints in the original #WAB. But he's also added new ones. 1/5
There are contradictions in the approach to the #WithdrawalAgreement Bill up for debate today
Johnson's majority of 80 means he can drop some constraints in the original #WAB. But he's also added new ones. 1/5
As many have noted, eg. the excellent @woodstockjag below, prior requirements for parliamentary approval at the next stage of Brexit have been removed.
Gone are words requiring MPs to approve the negotiating objectives, or an extension to transition. 2/5
Gone are words requiring MPs to approve the negotiating objectives, or an extension to transition. 2/5
Full details are set out nicely in the @instituteforgov explainer by @ThimontJack and colleagues below. 3/5
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/wit…
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/wit…
Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg has told the HoC that the gov plans to get the Committee & all other Commons stages of the #WAB done in 3 days, 7-9 Jan. In other words, exactly the same no. of days as the previous House refused to do it in. 1/
Assuming the House gives the #WAB a 2nd Reading tomorrow, Fri 20/12, it will then be asked to approve a programme motion containing this 3-day timetable for Jan. (This, of course, is where the previous House said 'no' on 22 Oct.) 2/
On 8/1, HoC will also be asked to approve statutory motions under EU (Withdrawal) Act (arising 'cos of failure of 'meaningful vote' on 19/10) & EU (Withdrawal) No. 2 Act (which requires gov to make & HoC to approve a report on negs with the EU during A50 extension (!)) 3/
Key point from my interview: the #WAB that passed its 2nd reading on Tuesday and was then “paused” by the Government does not just cover old ground. It presents brand new issues of vast potential importance, requiring proper parliamentary scrutiny (long thread) /1
First, WHERE ARE WE GOING? It’s true that page for page, the new Withdrawal Agreement mostly looks like Theresa May’s version. But the differences are extremely significant. /2
Notably, the new WA puts a customs and regulatory border down the Irish Sea - dividing the UK’s single market with possible long-term consequences for our Union (I mean the Union of GB and NI, not the EU). /3
There are some extraordinarily broad Henry VIII clauses in the #WAB. At the very least they need better scrutiny mechanisms, as explained here. /1
Parliament must also have more power to change the UK's negotiating objectives and to initiate an extension request, or we will find ourselves playing no-deal chicken all over again in 2020. /2
Publication of negotiating texts (as in the EU), more frequent reporting on progress and the publication of impact assessments would also be improvements, as @SweeLengHarris says ukandeu.ac.uk/law-making-in-…. /3
Programme motion defeated by 308 votes to 322. So Boris Johnson has a Bill that's still "live" but he can't ram it through to his desired timetable. Will he now pull it completely and bow to the inevitability of an extension? Watch this space! #WithdrawalAgreementBill #WAB
Watch for Boris Johnson attempt to call for an election again. Will be interesting to see if he's denied it. Of course, it's all fantastic tabloid headline fodder.
Jeremy Corbyn offers to work with the PM to put together an acceptable timetable. Likely to go down like a bucket of cold sick.
