Lib Dems attempt to put Parliament “in the driving seat” on future relationship

 

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a series of amendments to the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill that demand the Government protect British businesses, the rights of UK nationals and ensure Parliament has proper scrutiny over the future relationship agreement.   Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, who has said his Party will vote against the deal, warned the Government has committed an “affront to our democracy” by allowing Parliament just a few hours to debate the trade deal.   The amendments to give Parliament additional scrutiny over the trade deal, which are to be considered by the Speaker, include:   A clause to give Parliament the power to appoint and vote on the UK’s representatives to the committees responsible for overseeing the Agreement. Clauses to require the Government to publish regular independent reports on the impact of the future relationship agreement and prevent Ministers from using secondary legislation to amend primary legislation in order to implement the future relationship agreement.   The Liberal Democrats have also requested the Government agree to preserve the right of UK nationals living in the EEA and Switzerland who return to live in the UK in future to be joined by non-British family members on the same terms as they do at present.   Other amendments lodged by the Liberal Democrats also included demands on Ministers to  fund a package to mitigate the impact of the deal on UK businesses and introduce an adjustment period of three months.    Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:   “It is clear that this is a bad deal that will make people’s lives poorer, so the Liberal Democrats will vote against it.   “For the Government to limit scrutiny and debate on this trade deal to just a few hours is an affront to our democracy. Given the risk to business and rights of UK nationals, Parliament must be in the driving seat.    “The only way forward is to agree an adjustment period to ease the pain for businesses and quickly get to repairing the UK’s damaged relationships with our most important international partners.”