Bill · started in the Commons
United Kingdom Parliamentary Sovereignty Bill
A Bill to reaffirm the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament; and for connected purposes.
In progress
Current stage: 2nd reading (Commons)
The story so farThe United Kingdom Parliamentary Sovereignty Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 13 January 2010 by Mr William Cash (Conservative). It is now at second reading in the House of Commons. Second reading is the first debate on the overall principle of the bill; if the bill clears it, detailed committee scrutiny follows.
What the bill does
<p>The Bill seeks to confirm the sovereignty of the UK Parliament by prohibiting the Government from signing, ratifying or implementing a treaty or law which increases the powers of the European Union over the United Kingdom, unless it has first been approved in a UK referendum.</p><p>If enacted, the Bill would override the requirements of the European Communities Act 1972, the rule of prerogative, the rule of international law, and any other Act of Parliament, unless the latter expressly stated to the contrary. The requirement for the Queen to withhold Assent from a Bill without a referendum first having been won would seem to interfere with a constitutional personal prerogative of the Crown.</p>
Progress through Parliament
- 1st reading Commons 13 Jan 2010
- 2nd reading Commons Current
Source: the official bill page. Last updated 13 Apr 2010.