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Proceeding contribution from Austin Mitchell (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 8 March 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on European Union Bill.


European Union Bill

I am always impressed by the hon. Gentleman's displays of legal knowledge, but surely his whole point is spurious. The judges' argument is irrelevant and wrong: there is no distinction between some laws passed by Parliament and others. We cannot say that some are constitutional and others are not. That distinction does not exist: they are all of equal standing. The point that he is trying to make is also irrelevant, because he is appealing to a constitution that does not exist. Essentially, the British constitution is what Governments can get away with, and they get away with it in this place.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
524 c821 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information European Union EU budget Powers Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny Sovereignty Treaties Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union European Council Treaty of Lisbon
Legislation
European Union Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk