January 24, 2017 2.08 pm
This story is over 59 months old
Lincolnshire MPs divided over Brexit Supreme Court ruling
Greater Lincolnshire MPs have said that they will vote to trigger Article 50 in Parliament despite differences in opinion on the Supreme Court’s Brexit ruling. The Supreme Court ruled on January 24 that both the House of Commons and House of Lords must have a vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process. Judges…
Greater Lincolnshire MPs have said that they will vote to trigger Article 50 in Parliament despite differences in opinion on the Supreme Court’s Brexit ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled on January 24 that both the House of Commons and House of Lords must have a vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process.
Judges voted eight to three against the government, who were appealing the decision made by the High Court in November that the government does not have the power to begin negotiations to leave the European Union without parliamentary approval.
A government spokesperson said that the judgement did not change the timetable for triggering Article 50 – the process by which the UK begins its formal departure from the EU – by the end of March.
Great Grimsby MP Melanie Onn said that the court’s decision was the right one.
Despite this, the Remain supporter said that she would vote to trigger Article 50 in Parliament.
The Labour MP said that she would also consider tabling an amendment to protect workers’ rights after Brexit.
She said: “I campaigned strongly for Remain, but Britain voted to leave the European Union and it would be wrong for MPs to stop that from happening.
“The court’s decision today is the right one. One of the main arguments of the Leave campaign was the need to restore our Parliament’s sovereignty, so it would be odd if the process for leaving the European Union was done in a way which circumvented our Parliament.
“Parliament’s role now is to make sure that the government get the best deal from Brexit.
“I will continue to focus on protecting workers’ rights and holding the government to their promises on the fishing industry.
“I am currently consulting with the House of Commons clerks on the possibility of tabling an amendment to this vote to protect workers’ rights after Brexit.
“Although people did vote to leave the EU, I don’t think anyone was voting to be less safe at work or less secure in their job.”
Regrettable
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
In the neighbouring Cleethorpes constituency, Conservative MP Martin Vickers unsurprisingly had a different view on the decision, describing the judgement as “regrettable.”
He said: “Whilst the Supreme Court judgement is regrettable it won’t change the government’s determination to trigger Article 50 by the end of March.
“Parliament will vote on the issue and all indications are that it will receive a comfortable majority.
“What it will do is flush out the Labour and Lib Dem members who intend to vote against the wishes of their constituents.
“This will be a further indication of the contempt that Labour and the Lib Dems have for the electorate.”
Sitting next to Vickers in Parliament on Tuesday, January 24 was the veteran Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh, who said that the bill should be brief and the outcome simple.
Speaking in the House of Commons to Brexit Secretary David Davis, the Conservative MP for over three decades said: “If the opposition parties combine to constrain the government’s negotiating hand, for instance by insisting on staying in the single market, which would mean effectively remaining in the EU, is he aware that many of us believe that in those circumstances we should have an immediate general election?”
Taking back control means asserting parliamentary sovereignty
Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin
Labour MP for Scunthorpe Nic Dakin welcomed the judgement of the Supreme Court.
He said: “Taking back control means asserting parliamentary sovereignty. So it is right and proper that Parliament is involved in the process of exiting the EU.
“The government now needs to bring a Bill forward to trigger Article 50 without delay which I am confident will be passed through Parliament.
“I respect the will of the British people and the views of my constituents so will be supporting the government when it brings that Bill forward.
“The Prime Minister began to sketch out what the UK’s new relationship with Europe might look like in her speech last week.
“It is important that, as the new relationship becomes clearer, it is one that takes advantages of the opportunity of change without risking the jobs and wellbeing of local people.
“I will be particularly keen to ensure the best possible deal for steel, food and other areas of business important locally.
“The hard work of creating a prosperous future has just begun!”
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Many primary schools are dealing with COVID outbreaks despite a fall in cases across North East Lincolnshire.
The number of young people testing positive has increased since schools have returned.
However, the infection rate is now falling quickly after the wave of Omicron cases peaked around New Year.
The latest data suggests it is now at 1,400 cases per 100,000 – down a quarter from the week before – and is expected to hit 1,000 per 100,000 within days.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s epidemiology report say that the “critical pressure” on health and social care services is also easing.
They were hit by acute staff shortages in late December and early January.
Fortunately, the decline of working age people testing positive for COVID means that services are operating closer to normal levels.
There were 43 patients with COVID in Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital according to the latest data on Monday, although most are not being treated specifically for the virus.
There are 52 cases in North East Lincolnshire care home residents, with 28 homes currently closed.
The council’s report says: “The highest rates have been seen in the more socially active 19-24 population where the rate peaked at over 4,000.
“Of most concern however are the big increases that have occurred in the 60-79 and over 80s since Christmas Day which has led to a growing number of hospitalisations.
“In the last week the rates in all adult age groups have fallen significantly.
“There has however been a significant rise in primary school children since the start of the school term and many such schools are managing outbreaks.”
Nearly four in five people North East Lincolnshire adults have now received both vaccine doses as well as the booster.
Numbers are lower in under 18s, who have been eligible for less time.
A Lincoln man who holds regular charity football matches in memory of his dad has recruited none other than the Red Arrows to take part in his latest fixture.
Set up to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, BHF FC is the creation of Lincoln-based man Gary Burr, who lost his dad Peter to a heart attack in 2018.
He stages regular football matches to raise funds and awareness of the charity, and for the next game he has recruited some of Lincolnshire’s finest, in the form of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
On February 13, at Lincoln Moorlands Railway Sports & Social Club on Newark Road, Gary’s BHF FC will take on the Red Arrows XI, consisting of Red Arrows pilots and staff members, and coached by Sergeant David Marshall, one of the aerobatic team’s engineers.
BHF FC was created in 2018 by Gary Burr, who wanted to raise money for the British Heart Foundation following the passing of his father. | Photo: RAF Red Arrows
Gary said: “BHF FC is all about playing football, having fun and supporting a great cause in memory of a great person.
“The Red Arrows are part of the fabric of Lincolnshire and are renowned to have teamwork at the core of their mission.
“It’s a natural partnership for BHF FC to play its next match against the Red Arrows and I was thrilled when they agreed to play the game.”
The Red Arrows team will be using the game not just as a chance to earn valuable money for a good cause, but also to maintain fitness ahead of the new season, which is set to begin in May.
Red Arrows engineer Sergeant David Marshall (left) will be the manager of the Red Arrows XI. | Photo: RAF Red Arrows
Sergeant David Marshall said: “There are several keen footballers working in roles across the Red Arrows team and this is a great opportunity for us to train together and support a fantastic cause.
“It’s been great to collaborate with Gary and BHF FC – they’re a very good side with a brilliant outlook and I know we’ll be in for a competitive match.
“All of us playing are grateful for BHF FC and Moorlands for hosting the fixture and I’d urge people to come and show us support by attending the match.
“I know all of us will take great encouragement if there was a decent crowd on match day.”
Gates will open for the game at 1pm, kicking off an hour later, with tickets costing £5 for adults while under-16s enter for free.
There will also be a snack bar and raffle to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, and to support the fundraising effort, visit the BHF FC JustGiving page.
A 10-week accelerator programme has been launched by the University of Lincoln in an attempt to allow technological innovation to advance in the UK agricultural industry.
Launched in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, it is the second programme of its kind to be created by the University of Lincoln, and is designed to help start-up businesses push for growth in the agricultural sector, while also focusing on net-zero targets.
The programme consists of half-day workshops over a 10-week period, with a focus on developing business plans and identifying gaps in the market, and will be rounded off with a “Programme Pitch Finale” in front of an audience, for the chance to win prizes, including £10,000.
The workshops put on by the university are presented virtually in the form of webinars, videos and group exercises by educators and trainers who are experts in the relevant field.
Each business will also have access to the state-of-the-art facilities and resources at the new Barclays Eagle Lab Farm, based at the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme campus.
Last year, the programme saw great success in Lincoln, with 12 diverse agricultural businesses being selected, and the winner eventually being Alan Hughes of Farming Solutions, who created the innovative creep feeder for cattle.
Simon Pearson, director of the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology, said: “Last year’s accelerator programme saw some fantastic small businesses go from strength to strength through the support provided by expert business advisors and the technical advances in Agri-Tech.
“At the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology, we are delighted to be able to host another cohort in collaboration with Barclays Eagle Lab and Greenborough, with the added bonus of net-zero initiatives this year.”
Applications are now open to entrepreneurs with a business plan or early stage business within its first three years, and you can apply by following this link.
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