Case Study (Brexit Withdrawal) Flashcards
Who took the government to court in order to give Parliament a say over Brexit?
Gina Miller
What was the first Act of Parliament regarding Brexit called?
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill
When was that bill introduced and then passed?
It was introduced in July 2017 and passed in June 2018
What was the name of the clause within the European Union (Withdrawal) Act that gave MPs a say on the final agreement with the EU?
The meaningful vote clause
What happened to PM Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement because of this clause?
It was defeated twice
By what margins was the agreement defeated?
January 2019 - 432-202
March 2019 - 391-242
Why was a third vote held at the end of March?
Because European Council offered to extend the Brexit deadline if the deal passed by the 29th of March
What happened during this third vote?
The bill was defeated again - 344-286
What was then done after the third rejection of the agreement?
MPs voted on four options regarding Brexit and rejected all of them
What was the type of vote that the Commons held to choose from these four options?
Indicative Voting
What is indicative voting?
A non-binding vote to see what the Commons might approve of
What was clear during this period?
MPs could decide on what they didn’t want, but not on what they did want
What Act was finally passed in April 2019 that ended the problems encountered?
The European Union Withdrawal Act (2019) - The Cooper-Letwin Act
Is this Act the same as the one passed in June 2018?
NO.
What happened in September 2019?
PM Johnson’s withdrawal agreement was complicated by the passing of another bill
What was this bill?
The European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 - the Benn Act
What did the Benn Act require the government to do?
Get an extension of the withdrawal deadline if certain circumstances were not met
What were the circumstances outlined in the Benn Act?
If the Commons didn’t accept a withdrawal agreement or risked leaving without one by the 19th October 2019
What date did the Benn Act stipulate as the new Brexit deadline in these circumstances?
31st January 2020
PM Johnson refused to ask for an extension and said what?
He would rather be “Dead in a ditch” than request an extension of the deadline
What did PM Johnson then do?
Prorogued Parliament illegally
Was Parliament prorogued as PM Johnson hoped?
NO - it was declared illegal in an unanimous verdict by the Supreme Court
On the 19th October 2019, what did the Commons do?
Pass MP Oliver Letwin’s amendment to PM Johnson’s Brexit deal by 322-306
What did Letwin’s new amendment stipulate?
Parliament wouldn’t approve the Brexit deal until the UK had entirely withdrawn from the EU
What was the result of the Letwin Amendment passing?
The Benn Act was triggered and a new deadline had to be requested
The Government passed what legislative so they could get an early election?
Early Parliamentary General Election Act 2019
What Act did this bypass?
The Fixed Term Parliament Act
After the 2019 election, what was the government able to do?
Pass the withdrawal agreement with a majority of 99 MPs
