Brexit hits speed bump as court rules lawmakers must get say
LONDON — Britain’s plans to leave the European Union hit a large speed bump Thursday, as the High Court ruled that the government can’t start exit negotiations without a vote in Parliament.
The judgment deepened Britain’s divide over Europe, raising hopes among pro-EU politicians that they can soften the terms of the U.K.’s withdrawal from the bloc. “Leave” campaigners say any attempt to do that would be a betrayal of voters’ decision.
The government immediately said it would ask the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. The Court has set aside time in early December to hear the case.
Thursday’s ruling could delay government plans to start talks on Britain’s EU exit, or Brexit, within weeks, and opens a major constitutional battle over the balance of power between Parliament and the government.