'Respect The People': Christian MPs Give Verdict On Supreme Court's Brexit Ruling

Conservative Christian MPs have warned the government against any temptation to "thwart" the will of the British people following today's Supreme Court decision.

Leave campaigners said Parliament must move forward now and allow Article 50 to be triggered so that Britain can begin the process to leave the European Union.

The Supreme Court today ruled against the government, forcing ministers to consult MPs before triggering the UK's exit from the EU.

Brexit secretary David Davis is expected to publish a simple bill to be passed by both the House of Commons and Lords before March. He will give a statement to MPs later on Tuesday.

A Downing Street spokesman has said the ruling will not change their plans to trigger Article 50 within weeks.

"The British people voted to leave the EU, and the government will deliver on their verdict - triggering Article 50 as planned - by the end of March."

After the ruling Christian MPs on both sides of the debate gave their reaction to Christian Today. 

David Burrowes, a Conservative MP for Enfield South and a Leave campaigner, said: "I fully respect the Supreme Court's decision and Parliament now needs to do what it should have done soon after the Referendum which is to authorise the triggering of Article 50."

He warned MPs against opposing the government's bill.

"While it is constitutionally right for Parliament to trigger negotiations to leave the EU it would be democratically wrong for MPs to thwart the result of the Referendum," he said.

SNP and Lib Dem MPs are expected to vote against triggering Article 50 but all 329 Conservative MPs and most Labour MPs are thought likely to ensure it passes.

Tim Farron, leader of the Lib Dems and an evangelical Christian, said the case was never about legal arguments but rather was about "giving the people a voice in what happens next".

The ardent Remain campaigner added: "The Liberal Democrats are clear, we demand a vote of the people on the final deal and without that we will not vote for Article 50."

Labour MP David Lammy, another Christian Remainer, branded Theresa May "absurd" for trying to avoid consulting parliament.

"The government alone cannot interpret what the referendum result means and where we go from here – they have to bring forward legislation that will be scrutinised and debated by Parliament."

Anticipating ministers' desire to speed a simple bill through Parliament, he added the government must not "steamroll legislation" past MPs.

"What happens next will define the future of our country for generations, there is too much at stake," he said.

The case sparked intense scrutiny after Gina Miller, an investment manager, launched the legal challenge to the government's plans not to consult parliament before triggering Article 50.

High Court judges initially ruled against the government but ministers appealed and took the case to the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday after the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, Lord Chancellor Liz Truss called for respect for the decision.

"Our independent judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law and is vital to our constitution and our freedoms," she said after receiving intense criticism for not defending the judiciary in the face of press attacks in relation to the High Court ruling. The decision led to judges facing accusations of thwarting the referendum vote and being "enemies of the people".

She added: "The reputation of our judiciary is unrivalled the world over, and our Supreme Court justices are people of integrity and impartiality."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?

In demanding that the likes of Robinson be banned from the Oxford Union, the clergy are in effect setting their own limit on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison
Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison

A Christian convert in Iran has been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison on trumped-up charges linked to state security and anti-government activity.

John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy
John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy

Christian media leaders heard calls for courage, authenticity and discernment at the recent Revive 2026 conference.

Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?
Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?

If you look at the Church of England’s communications all that it ever seems to highlight is the good works that Christians do to improve the temporal well-being of their neighbours. It is right to highlight these things, but they are not the primary reason for the Church’s existence.