Theresa May ‘acting like Henry VIII’ with Great Repeal Bill powers
Written by News on 14/07/2017
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of acting like Henry VIII by using the Great Repeal Bill to bypass Parliament.
Mr Corbyn said the central plank of the Government’s Brexit strategy gave it the power to "tear up important regulations" without MPs’ say.
He referred to Henry VIII powers – so called because the former King issued laws by proclamation – which ministers say is needed to change legislation covered at a late stage in negotiations.
The powers, which would limit Parliament’s oversight, could cover some of the most controversial last-minute elements.
Mr Corbyn told Sky News: "We are presented with a bill from a Government that doesn’t have a majority.
"It has written all the way through it the idea that with statutory instruments a government can bypass parliamentary procedure and possibly tear up very important regulations that protect working conditions, environmental standards (and) consumer products.
"That is wrong. Parliament must have a say in how the negotiations go on."
When asked to clarify whether the Government was acting dictatorially, Mr Corbyn said: "That’s the whole point of the Henry VIII clause.
"As you know, Henry VIII was not in any sense a democrat. He wanted to overrule the Parliament of the day.
"In the 21st Century, in a democratic society, elected MPs have an opportunity and a duty to challenge what Governments do. I would say the same if I was PM."
Mr Corbyn chose again not to clarify a specific position on the customs union and single market.
He said: "We want to achieve tariff-free trade with Europe and see what architecture can be configured at the end of that."
When asked to rule out membership of the single market, Mr Corbyn said: "What form that takes will be the result and end of the negotiations."
When asked to respond to the PM’s claim that 80% of General Election voters, included those who supported Labour, backed her plans on Brexit, Mr Corbyn said: "I think she has no business speaking up for the 13 million people voting Labour."
Mr Corbyn added he had a "very frank" discussion with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.
He claimed they shared concerns about Mrs May negotiating a trade deal with Donald Trump at the same time as negotiating Brexit.
(c) Sky News 2017: Theresa May ‘acting like Henry VIII’ with Great Repeal Bill powers
