UK: Government avoids defeat after MPs vote against retaining EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law after Brexit
23 November 2017
Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.
UK
Government avoids defeat after MPs vote against retaining EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law after Brexit
23.11.17
Follow us: 
| 
| Tweet
"MPs have voted against a Labour bid to retain EU human rights measures in UK law post-Brexit after the Government offered Conservative rebels an eleventh-hour concession.
The amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill was defeated by 311 votes to 301, giving the Government a majority of just 10.
Just one Conservative MP, Ken Clarke, defied the Government whip and voted for the motion to retain the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, put forward by Jeremy Corbyn.
Civic organisations warned over the weekend that individual rights to privacy, equality, freedom of expression, fair working conditions, a fair trial, access to a lawyer and the protection of personal data are all in potential jeopardy if the charter is stripped from the UK state book after Brexit, in March 2019."
See: Government avoids defeat after MPs vote against retaining EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law after Brexit (The Independent, link)
And: EU Bill: 30+ groups concerned about human rights protection (British Institute of Human Rights, link):
"Today 31 groups have submitted evidence to the Joint Committee of Human Rights outlining their shared concerns about the protection of human rights in the European Union (Withdrawal Bill). Groups include Human Rights Watch, Liberty, National Union of Students, Women’s Aid (England), Disability Wales and Children in Scotland."
And see the letter signed by 31 human rights, unions and other organisations: Joint Committee on Human Rights Submission: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill Scrutiny(pdf)
"Ultimately, exiting the EU should not lead to less protection of people’s rights; the standards of protection should be equivalent to the current position, and where possible the opportunity to provide additional (not different) rights protections should be taken.”"
Search our database for more articles and information or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates from Statewatch News Online.
Our work is only possible with your support.
Become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.
Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.