It is incumbent on Prime Minister Theresa May to get the approval of the Parliament in regard to the negotiations with the European Union. The government was not given a carte blanche to negotiate in secret with the European Union, even though Brexit won the referendum. If they do that it will be unconstitutional.
Appealing to the Supreme Court by the government will not help, it may make their case weaker because Parliament is supreme and law-making body of this country. In a democracy it cannot be bypassed on such an important issue.
What Parliament would want to know are the broad terms and conditions/agenda of what the British will be discussing with the European Union, like access to single market, immigration restrictions, security arrangements (anti-terrorism), visa requirements, travel facilities, environment, education exchanges and other reciprocal arrangements.
They do not want to know the nitty gritty details and bargaining chips the government holds. They will want know what items the government will be negotiating with the European Union in case any item is missed out. That is not asking for too much nor giving away the government’s negotiating strategy and tactics.
Unless the government is hiding something and does not want the input and approval from the parliament on the negotiations agenda in broad terms. By doing so it will make the stand of the government weaker and not stronger.
The other thing to keep in mind is that there will be no free lunch from the European Union, a price will have to be paid as other countries like Norway, Switzerland and Canada are paying, in order to get access the European market.
We should not be talking of hard or soft Brexit, but of an honourable Brexit. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
We have got the European bird in our hands, but the others are still flying in the air.
Baldev Sharma
Harrow
