European Union Bill Amendment designed to override Referenda

The following amendment has been tabled to the European Union Bill in the British House of Lords:

Clause 5
LORD TRIESMAN
LORD LIDDLE

Page 4, line 21, leave out from “indicate” to end of line 22 and insert—

“(a) whether, in the Minister’s opinion, the effect of the provision in relation to the United Kingdom is significant; and

(b) the grounds on which, in the Minister’s opinion, the Article 48(6) decision is in the national interest of the United Kingdom.”

The Clause of the Bill referred to is as follows:

If the Minister is of the opinion that an Article 48(6) decision falls within section 204 only because of provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (1)(i) or (j) of that section, the statement must indicate whether in the Minister’s opinion the effect of that provision in relation to the United Kingdom is significant.

Subsection (1) (i) (j) state the following:

(i) the conferring on an EU institution or body of power to impose a requirement or obligation on the United Kingdom, or the removal of any limitation on any such power of an EU institution or body;

(j) the conferring on an EU institution or body of new or extended power to impose sanctions on the United Kingdom;