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British expats in Europe given new hope by EU court decision
| Published: | 10 Dec at 6 PM |
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The decision rendered Monday by the European Court of Justice states unequivocally that the UK can unilaterally end the formal process leading to Britain’s exiting the EU.
The ECJ sided with advice given by its leading legal officer, who told the media late last week he believes Britain has the right to stop Brexit without referring to the 27 EU member states for their agreement. According to the UK’s Press Association, article 50 can now be crushed before Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement comes into force. May is not expected to take any action as a result of the court’s decision, but the ruling gives UK lawmakers another option as regards cancelling the Brexit process before it’s too late.
The crucial parliamentary vote on May’s widely criticised agreement is due Tuesday, with experts convinced the House will reject the deal, and the ECJ’s ruling is now seen as giving objectors another way out of the current mess. The original case was brought by pro-Remain campaigners based in Scotland and was a bombshell for the government, which unsuccessfully argued that London’s Supreme Court should intervene before the ECJ had a chance to pass judgement. The case and its result will now be returned to the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh for a final verdict.
Given the growing pressure both in the UK and amongst British expats living in EU member states for a second referendum stating clearly the pros, cons and ultimate effects of the UK’s quitting the European Union, this further string to the bows of Remain campaigners will be welcomed by British citizens in Europe. It’s hoped it will strengthen the case for a withdrawal, a result which would allow Britain and the EU to forget their differences and work together to build a stronger union.
The ECJ sided with advice given by its leading legal officer, who told the media late last week he believes Britain has the right to stop Brexit without referring to the 27 EU member states for their agreement. According to the UK’s Press Association, article 50 can now be crushed before Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement comes into force. May is not expected to take any action as a result of the court’s decision, but the ruling gives UK lawmakers another option as regards cancelling the Brexit process before it’s too late.
The crucial parliamentary vote on May’s widely criticised agreement is due Tuesday, with experts convinced the House will reject the deal, and the ECJ’s ruling is now seen as giving objectors another way out of the current mess. The original case was brought by pro-Remain campaigners based in Scotland and was a bombshell for the government, which unsuccessfully argued that London’s Supreme Court should intervene before the ECJ had a chance to pass judgement. The case and its result will now be returned to the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh for a final verdict.
Given the growing pressure both in the UK and amongst British expats living in EU member states for a second referendum stating clearly the pros, cons and ultimate effects of the UK’s quitting the European Union, this further string to the bows of Remain campaigners will be welcomed by British citizens in Europe. It’s hoped it will strengthen the case for a withdrawal, a result which would allow Britain and the EU to forget their differences and work together to build a stronger union.
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