Matthew Pennycook responds to EU Withdrawal Bill amendment

Matthew Pennycook, Shadow Brexit
Minister,
responding to the Government’s decision to accept the Procedure Committee’s
amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, said:

“It is encouraging that Ministers
have listened and accepted this change to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

“However, their concession does not
go far enough. 

“Labour has been clear that when it
comes to the secondary legislation that will flow from this Bill, Parliament
must not only be able to effectively scrutinise, but also to be able to amend
and improve it. Without the latter, Parliament will be offered a take it or
leave it choice on key issues. That would be unacceptable.

“The Government must go further and
make clear they’ll give Parliament a meaningful role in shaping this
legislation. If they fail to do so, then Tory MPs should back Labour’s
amendments.”