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The UK House of Lords has dealt a blow to Theresa May's Brexit plans, voting that she can only trigger exit talks if she promises to protect the rights of EU citizens.
Key points:
- EU citizens' residency rights in Britain are among the details required in the change
- May has said she would ensure EU citizens rights, but not until reciprocal deals are made
- Opposition spokesman says EU nationals' rights should not be used as bargaining chips
The Prime Minister had hoped to pass her Brexit bill without changes, and it will push back the earliest date she can formally launch the process of Britain's departure from the European Union to around March 13.
However her plan to begin negotiations before the end of March remains on track, and Government sources said Ms May would fight to overturn the defeat when the changes were presented to the Lower House of Parliament, where her party has a majority.
The House of Lords voted 358 to 256 to make an amendment to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, the legislation that will give Ms May the power to trigger the legal process of leaving the EU.
The change requires the Government to publish proposals on how to protect EU citizens currently living in Britain — including their residency rights — within three months of triggering the Brexit process as defined by Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.
Wednesday's defeat was orchestrated by the opposition Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats — Ms May's Conservative Party does not have a majority in the upper chamber.
"Labour believe that EU nationals should not be used as bargaining chips in Brexit negotiations," said the party's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer.
"There is a growing consensus that this must be resolved before Article 50 is triggered, and the Prime Minister is now increasingly isolated."
While Ms May has said she wants to guarantee EU citizens' rights, she has not been prepared to do so until other member states agreed a reciprocal deal.
"We are disappointed the Lords have chosen to amend a bill that the Commons [Lower House] passed without amendment," a spokeswoman for the Brexit department said in a statement.
"Our position on EU nationals has repeatedly been made clear. We want to guarantee the rights of EU citizens who are already living in Britain, and the rights of British nationals living in other member states, as early as we can."
Reuters
Topics: world-politics, united-kingdom, european-union
First posted