Join us as we delve into the momentous day the UK formally triggered Article 50, beginning the process of leaving the European Union. This episode takes you inside the House of Commons as Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her statement and faces a barrage of questions from MPs across the political spectrum. Hear the key arguments, the hopes for a "global Britain," and the deep divisions that persist. Understand the government's aims for negotiations, including a new "deep and special partnership" with the EU, and the opposition's concerns about jobs, rights, and the future of the Union.
Key Takeaways:
- The UK government formally invoked Article 50, acting on the democratic will of the British people expressed in the referendum.
- Prime Minister May outlined the government's ambition for a stronger, fairer, more united, and more outward-looking Britain.
- The government aims for a new deep and special partnership with the EU, covering security and economic affairs, based on cooperation.
- Key priorities include seeking a comprehensive free trade agreement, controlling immigration, ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU.
- The government intends to convert the 'acquis' into British law via a White Paper and put the final deal to a vote in both Houses of Parliament.
- The Labour party respects the decision to leave but voiced concerns about a "hard Brexit" and the need to protect jobs, living standards, and access to the single market.
- The SNP strongly opposed the triggering of Article 50, highlighting that Scotland voted to remain in the EU and demanding a second independence referendum.
- Concerns were raised about the impact on Northern Ireland, the importance of maintaining the common travel area with the Republic of Ireland, and the need to avoid a hard border.
- The government acknowledged the economic consequences of leaving the EU but emphasized the opportunity for new trade agreements globally.
Source: Hansard - Article 50 Volume 624: debated on Wednesday 29 March 2017
REWIND episodes will explore how our government reacted to
Support the show
Follow and subscribe to 'The Bench Report' on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes daily: thebenchreport.co.uk
Subscribe to our Substack
Shape our next episode or article! Get in touch with an issue important to you - Producer Tom will grab another coffee and start the research!
Email us: thebenchreportuk@gmail.com
Follow us onYouTube, X, Bluesky, Facebookand Instagram @BenchReportUK
Support us for bonus and extended episodes + more.
No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.
Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
