European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Debate between Baroness McDonagh and Lord Adonis

Wednesday 14th March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Adonis]

What Gladstone showed so brilliantly is that it is possible to share sovereignty both within your nation and between nations. Gladstone was a great champion of the concept of Europe and, indeed, of international arbitration, which he pioneered to a significant extent.

[Baroness McDonagh]

Does the noble Lord agree that this is the point we are making? The Bill allows the European Parliament to vote on the withdrawal agreement without a meaningful vote necessarily taking place in the UK Parliament—unless there is agreement about the way that will be taken, the timing and the procedure for it. Is that not the case?

[Lord Adonis]

I entirely agree with my noble friend.