Notts MPs react to High Court ruling that Parliament must vote on Brexit

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MPs will debate amendments in the House of Commons for seven hours with a final vote being held at 8pm.

Nottinghamshire MPs have been reacting to a High Court ruling that government cannot start Brexit without it going through Parliament first.

Lord Chief Justice Thomas ruled that Prime Minister Theresa May and her government do not have the right to set Article 50 in motion on their own.

Government is reported to be appealing the decision.

This comes after Theresa May announced her intention to trigger Article 50 by the end of march 2017.

Triggering Article 50 marks the official start of the two-year period where the UK and the EU separate.

This is not to overturn Brexit but to give it new life

Nottingham North Labour MP Graham Allen said: “It is the beginning of defining more clearly and honestly a Separation of Powers in the UK, which has hitherto been shrouded in mystery.

“Parliament can no longer be the poodle of Government of any political complexion.

“On fundamental matters of our democracy, Parliament must not only be consulted but, as on Article 50, legislate.

“This is not to overturn the decision in principle by the British people but to give it full life.

“I welcome the decision of the High Court and now hope the Supreme Court upholds the sovereignty of Parliament which was such a core part of the reason to leave the EU.”

Broxtowe Conservative MP Anna Soubry reiterated a similar message on Twitter.

Speaking before the decision was announced, former Shadow Chancellor and Nottingham East Labour MP Chris Leslie said: “Leaving the EU could literally make or break this part of our economy, where we currently have a world-beating comparative advantage.

“If we get this right and preserve our rights to do business across the 27 other European countries, we have a chance of enjoying the £66 billion flowing annually into Treasury revenues we use to pay for the NHS and other vital public services.

“But if we get this wrong, it won’t just be a question of tariffs at 10% or 20%, it could see a ban on the right to trade financial services products into the EU at all.”