and Merthyr and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones (right)
Caerphilly County Borough’s three Members of Parliament have voted in favour of the UK Government’s Brexit Bill to enact Article 50.
Despite campaigning for the UK to remain a part of the European Union in the run-up to last year’s referendum, Caerphilly’s Wayne David, Islwyn’s Chris Evans, and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney’s Gerald Jones, have all voted to pass legislation proposed by the UK Government.
The Labour Party ordered its MPs to do so after a Supreme Court ruling said the UK Government did not have the authority to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without Parliament’s approval.
Caerphilly MP Mr David welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court.
He said: “The majority view was that Britain should leave the EU and I respect that view.
“At the same time, however, I want to make sure that there is as little disruption as possible to our economy and there are no job losses.
“I also want to make sure that workers’ rights and environmental laws are protected.”
Islwyn MP Mr Evans said a coherent plan was needed.
He said: “Instead of giving comfort to business and individuals the government wasted months arguing through the courts about whether MPs get a vote or not.
“It is only now after a spectacular U-turn by Theresa May we have the promise of a white paper. While I have deep reservations with much of what has been proposed I am glad we now get to debate these issues.
“We are leaving the European Union but I want to ensure we have the best possible deal for families and businesses in Islwyn. This issue is just too important to get wrong.”
Mr Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said he fully respected the result of last year’s referendum.
He said: “The task is now to scrutinise the government’s Bill to ensure that we make the best possible arrangements for our country’s future outside of the EU so that we get the deal that protects the interests of our country, our security and particularly jobs and businesses which will in turn benefit families across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.”
The UK Government appealed to the Supreme Court, and lost, following an earlier legal ruling that it did not have the authority to start the process of Brexit.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling the UK Government drafted its European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill.
Last night, MPs voted overwhelmingly to pass the Bill’s second reading.
The Bill, which totals just 130 words, will be sped through the usual process of passing a law and is provisionally scheduled to have its third reading on Wednesday, February 8. It will then progress to the House of Lords for the next stage.
The UK Government has said it remains confident that its timetable to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, will be met.
Meanwhile, the Labour-led Welsh Government, together with Plaid Cymru, has published a paper setting outs its thoughts on Brexit, arguing that Wales has to have continued access to the single market.
Prime Minister Theresa May attended a meeting of the devolved nations in Cardiff on January 30. It was reported she warned the leaders of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland they would have no veto over any Brexit deal.
Speaking after the meeting, First Minister Carwyn Jones said it had been a useful discussion.
He said: “The Prime Minister herself said this isn’t a talking shop, and I hold her to that.
“It’s hugely important that we are part of the process, but also part of the negotiation because there are some areas, farming and fisheries, where the UK doesn’t exist. Everything is either European or Welsh…so we have to make sure Wales’ interests are protected.”
This was inevitable, it is a very foolish MP that votes against that which the people of their constituencies want. A vote against, or even worse a Diane Abbot style sick note, would not have gone well with the voters.
It is up to these MPs to now get behind the country and make a success of the opportunities that leaving the autocratic EU will bring.