Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, Second Reading

On Tuesday 25 October 2022 the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons. 

The Bill includes a ‘sunset’ clause which removes all Retained EU Law from the statute book on 31st December 2023. There are currently over 2,400 pieces of EU legislation left on the statute book, and these touch upon a wide range of areas and departments – it is simply not feasible for the House to properly scrutinise this amount of law within the set timeframe. 

The Reasoned Amendment would have set out that the House declines to give a Second Reading to the Bill, due the substantial uncertainty it creates for businesses, consumers and workers.  I voted to support this Amendment, which was not passed, Ayes: 223 and Noes: 277.

I voted against the Bill, which was passed, Ayes: 280 and Noes: 225.