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Roundup: Theresa May should trigger Britain's Euro divorce, not parliament: poll

Xinhua, October 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Judges in London continued Monday to hear a legal case to decide how Britain's divorce from the European Union should be triggered.

Meanwhile, a new poll by YouGov has revealed that more than half of the British public say the decision should be made by Prime Minister Theresa May.

May has announced that she will trigger the article 50 mechanism by the end of March, starting a two-year departure process. Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the political spectrum in the Houses of Parliament want to be involved in the decision-making.

In the High Court a group of individuals are seeking a judgement to force May to hand the decision making to politicians.

At the hearing Monday, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said parliament consent is not required for May to start the Brexit process. Wright cited the principle that governments use the royal prerogative in such cases. But those bringing the case argue that it is vital MPs and peers get a say. The case is continuing.

On June 23, the public backed Brexit by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent, but three quarters of MPs backed the campaign to remain in the European Union.

YouGov's Matthew Smith, outlining the organization's latest poll, said: "Broadly speaking, those groups that want the Prime Minister to make the decision were those who tended to back Brexit at the referendum, whilst those who say it should rest with Parliament backed Remain."

Generally, the poll showed 54 percent in favor of May making the Brexit decision, with 30 percent wanting Parliament to call the shots.

Labor's John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor of the exchequer responded Monday night to reports in the London-based Financial Times that Theresa May's government is considering paying billions of dollars in to maintain access to the EU single market, but only for the City of London and the financial service sector.

McDonnell said in a statement: "Britain has voted to leave the EU, it has not voted for paying huge fees for special favors for bankers. We support access to EU markets for financial services, but it is crucial for the British economy that the government insist on full, tariff-free access to the Single Market for all our industries, to protect jobs and livelihoods in the UK."

The Financial Times article said several government ministers have revealed that May's Cabinet is considering paying billions into the EU budget.

The newspaper says its report is likely to frustrate Eurosceptics within the Conservative Party who would prefer to see a so-called "hard Brexit" in which Britain would have greater control over migration.

On the Brexit sidelines, a petition is to be discussed calling for June 23 to be declared "Independence Day" as a national holiday to mark the EU referendum result. The government has said it has no plans to create another public holiday in Britain. Endit