Outcome of the EU Referendum

Debate between Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Monday 27th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Elystan-Morgan]

My Lords, will the noble Baroness give a solemn undertaking—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

Perhaps we can hear from the Cross Benches, then from the Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative Benches.

[Lord Elystan-Morgan]

My Lords, I am deeply grateful. Will the noble Baroness give an undertaking to the effect that before even contemplating activating the machinery of Article 50, the Government will first of all take into account the solemn voice of the two legislatures, and that failing to do so would be to abrogate and render nugatory the whole concept of parliamentary sovereignty? It is extremely sad and ironic that in the light of the European Union Act 2011 it is necessary for there to be a referendum and a parliamentary resolution before there can be any acquiescence to change. Indeed, it would be very strange that an act so existential as leaving the Union could take place without a parliamentary decision.