http://www.globalresearch.ca/brexit-referendum-is-non-binding-uk-parliament-not-voter-has-final-say/5532485Brexit Referendum Is Non-Binding. UK Parliament Not Voters has Final SayBy Stephen Lendman
Global Research, June 23, 2016
All the fuss and bother about Brexit largely ignores its non-binding status – parliament, not voters deciding if Britain stays or leaves the EU, the latter extremely unlikely.
Writing in the Financial Times, British lawyer David Allen Green explained Brexit voting is “advisory,” not “mandatory.” Parliament has final say.
MPs can legally disregard the public’s will either way, they alone empowered to decide the path Britain chooses.
What happens ahead is “a matter of politics not law. It will come down to what is politically expedient and practicable,” said Green.
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Invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is another matter entirely, legally binding, unlike Thursday’s vote.
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Green highlighted key points. Member states can choose how to vote on withdrawal – by referendum, parliament or other means.
The withdrawal process begins with formal notification. Once “given, the member state and the EU are stuck with it.”
Member states wishing to withdraw have up to two years maximum to complete the process “unless this period is extended by unanimous agreement.”
Once withdrawal intentions are announced and initiated, there’s no going back. At the same time, what’s “created by international agreement can be undone” the same way.
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Special interests decide things. Whatever they want they get. However voting turns out, government policy “is to remain in the EU,” said Green.
Leaving would require Prime Minister David Cameron invoking Article 50, unlikely given his vocal opposition to Brexit.
