Brexit ruling: The real battle will now be in the Lords

The Supreme Court's ruling means that Theresa May needs Parliament's approval in order to trigger Article 50, thereby kickstarting the Brexit process. 

This means she will have to battle to get it through the Commons. But she will be aided by the overwhelming support Leave won in the referendum. Over 17 million voters backed it, and many Brexit-sceptic MPs will be aware of it.

Theresa May
Theresa May Credit: YVES HERMAN

She also won't face as strong an Opposition as she could thanks to Labour's inability to muster an agreed line on Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn wants his MPs to wave Article 50 through, but some of his closest allies are keen to make a stand. 

The real battle will be in the Lords. Peers won't have to answer to the people, so can be as awkward as they see fit. The Government can get this through in the end, but the weapons it has at its disposal will take time. 

The Supreme Court made clear it wasn't trying to derail Brexit with its judgement, but was making a ruling on how it should be done. So now it's over to the Government to get stuck in.

 

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