Thursday, 9 March 2017

Why Theresa May fired Lord Heseltine


Lord Heseltine

Crack in government as Lord Heseltine got fired and relieved of his post as government adviser due to his role in the Brexit amendment in the House of Lords. The amendment recommends the PM would not to finalise a deal with the European Union until both houses approves such deal.

Speaking to Sky News after his dismissal, he said: "I have been working for the Government now for six years. It has been a privilege.

"Of course I'm very sad and sorry to see it go - but in the end you have to be true to yourself and I knew I had to make that speech today in the House of Lords.

"None of us can see what governments we're going to be dealing with in Europe. We can't see what the circumstances are going to be, we can't see what the deal is going to be.

"All people like me in the House of Lords are saying is that the ultimate sovereignty of this country lies in Parliament. That's what the Brexit people have been saying along: 'We've got to have sovereignty back.'"

Speaking further, he sounded a strong warning saying that European governments will not offer the UK a good deal, because, if they do, it could spark other EU members to leave.

The former deputy prime minister has also said he is not engrossed in sparking a "constitutional crisis" if the Commons decides to reject the amendment submitted by the Lords.

"We're not trying to overrule the Commons, or become an equal partner to the Commons, we're merely doing what the House of Lords traditionally is expected to do, which is to ask the Commons to think again," he added.

Before the vote took place, the former deputy prime minister warned that leaving the European Union was the "most momentous peacetime decision of our time".

In an earlier statement, Lord Heseltine had insisted it was Parliament's duty to protect the country's legacy for future generations - and reiterated his belief that "the future of this country is inextricably interwoven with our European friends".



No comments:
Write comments