Best Twitter reactions to the news that triggering Article 50 will require a parliamentary vote
Today the High Court ruled that the government could not trigger Article 50 without MPs having a vote in parliament.
Theresa May had maintained that the government could use a royal prerogative to trigger the two years of talks. The government will now challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.
The case was brought in the aftermath of the EU referendum to determine whether an Act of Parliament needs to be put in place before government triggers Article 50, or whether government has the prerogative to start the UK’s EU withdrawal process by itself.
The news caused sterling to jump against the dollar, nudging above $1.24 for the first time in days before falling back slightly to $1.2384.
But everyone has an opinion on the latest news. Here are the best reactions:
Labour have just issued a press release… spelling the name of their own leader wrong. You could NOT make this up.
Oh, and it's an hour after the court ruling too.
Jeremy Corbyn welcomes the ruling, I think? pic.twitter.com/j8lXuAPF9y
— Conor Pope (@Conorpope) November 3, 2016
Suzanne Evans, Ukip leadership candidate, thinks we should be able to sack judges.
How dare these activist judges attempt to overturn our will? It's a power grab & undermines democracy. Time we had the right to sack them. https://t.co/8xsA8yCeVM
— Suzanne Evans (@SuzanneEvans1) November 3, 2016
Meanwhile, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he feared a "betrayal" was near…
Last night at the Spectator Awards I had a distinct feeling that our political class do not accept the 23rd of June referendum result.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 3, 2016
I now fear every attempt will be made to block or delay triggering Article 50. They have no idea level of public anger they will provoke.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 3, 2016
Tim Farron thinks that the British people voted for a "departure but not a destination".
Taking back power means giving parliament a vote. My comment on the Article 50 legal case. pic.twitter.com/DXdf7TwUmZ
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) November 3, 2016
David Lammy, a Labour MP, says this is what REAL sovereignty looks like. Not like any of that fake sovereignty. Oh no.
Court rules Parliament must vote on Article 50. A huge victory for our parliamentary democracy. This is what real sovereignty looks like.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 3, 2016
Millionaire plumber Charlie Mullins has been involved in the challenge. He's happy at the news…
https://twitter.com/PimlicoPlumbers/status/794121901811568640
Some remainers are, understandably, pretty pleased. They think it means they will be able to get more say on the kind of Brexit that will take place.
It’s right that parliament has opportunity to debate & vote on what sort of Brexit we want – not just Ministers at the top table #Article50
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 3, 2016
To be clear – especially for all sending vile tweets to me just now – vote on #Article50 is about what kind of Brexit, not whether we Brexit
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 3, 2016
Some journalists are upset at the rise in the pound – darn. Fair play to you, Jamie.
Ffs I just got back from holiday. #Article50 #BouncingBack pic.twitter.com/QwWUtqAQLv
— Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) November 3, 2016
Students just want to know what's going on. Will someone think of the students?
much appreciated if parliament can decide what's occurring with brexit so my EU Law module can stop changing
— Daisy Rebecca (@daisyrebeccafox) November 3, 2016
Of course, it's gif-central today.
"Brexit means Brexit" pic.twitter.com/408TUiq4vt
— Catrin (@catrincooper) November 3, 2016
The response to the court's decision on Article 50 so far… pic.twitter.com/k3ftif3blY
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) November 3, 2016
And other people are pointing out the huge irony of Brexiteers being upset at courts upholding parliamentary sovereignty, arguing that this is what they wanted in the referendum.
The High Court has upheld Parliamentary sovereignty over Brexit vote, in a move so ironic it threatens to destroy the fabric of spacetime.
— Unnamed Insider (@Unnamedinsider) November 3, 2016
But to sum up…
https://twitter.com/EliotRothwell/status/794126975539494913