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Agenda item

Notice of Motion

To be moved by Councillor Butler Thalassis and seconded by Councillor Matt Noble:

 

“This Council notes the gridlock in Parliament over Britain’s future relationship with the European Union.

 

This Council also notes the rise in extremist political intimidation in Westminster, notably around Parliament, that has been fuelled by the Brexit debate.

 

This Council believes that a No Deal Brexit would be hugely damaging to Westminster and the country as a whole.

 

The Council believes that the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration negotiated by the Government fails to deliver on the political promises made by the Leave Campaign in 2016.

 

The Council also believes that the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration fail to ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU; they fail to deliver the exact same benefits as membership of the Single Market and Customs Union; they fail to ensure a fair future approach to migration; they do not fully defend rights and protections (including for Westminster’s EU citizens); they limit the scope for collaboration to protect national security and cross-border crime and will cause significant problems for the regions and nations of the UK. 

 

The council resolves to call on Parliament to take further urgent steps to prevent a No-Deal Brexit.

 

The council resolves to call for Parliament to trigger a General Election to attempt to break the deadlock in Parliament and help deliver a government with a mandate to tackle both the Brexit issue and the economic, social and political challenges facing the country.

 

The council resolves to argue that this future Government, or the current Government if an election cannot be achieved, should put any Brexit deal to a public vote through a second referendum, with an option to remain in the EU. It also believes that given the wide range of Westminster communities whose futures will be shaped by Brexit that, if achievable, such a vote would be open to 16-18 year olds and to residents who are EU citizens.”

 

 

Minutes:

11.1    The Minority Party had selected for debate the notice of motion as set out on the agenda.  The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and seconded by Councillor Matt Noble. 

 

11.2    The Majority Party had submitted an amendment to the notice of motion as set out on the order paper. 

 

11.3    Councillor Matt Noble raised a point of order that in the Minority party’s opinion the proposed amendment to their motion constituted a breach of the Council’s standing orders, namely SO 13 paragraph (5)(c), and should therefore be rejected.  Having taken advice from the Chief Executive and the Director of Law, the Lord Mayor determined that the amendment was within the law and in compliance with the Council’s Constitution and therefore rejected the request.

 

11.4    Councillor Iain Bott moved and it was seconded by Councillor Matthew Green that the notice of motion be amended, as follows:

 

          Remove from “the gridlock” in the first paragraph to “it also believes” in the final paragraph then delete “that, if achievable, such a vote would be open to 16-18 year olds and to residents who are EU citizens”.

 

          Then add:

 

         And recognises the contribution of the thousands of friends and neighbours who are citizens from other European Union countries who live in Westminster.

 

          The Council believes that EU nationals who live in Westminster deserve assurances over their future in the UK in order to feel certain that Westminster can remain their long-term home.

 

          The Council recognises the proactive work already undertaken to engage with EU citizens and to provide them with practical support in the run-up to Brexit.

 

          The Council notes the importance of providing funding to the service run by Citizens Advice to support EU nationals living in Westminster with guidance in person, online and by telephone and resolves to request that the Cabinet continues funding this service beyond Brexit.

 

          The Council welcomes the high level of participation by Westminster’s EU citizens at a series of seminars organised by the Council in co-operation with the Home Office which have proved successful in providing opportunities for EU citizens to ask questions and to discuss their concerns.

 

          The Council resolves to remain committed to Westminster’s EU residents, they are an essential part of our community. We shall to continue to offer them support to ensure that EU citizens feel that Westminster continues to be their home both now and after the UK has left the European Union.”

11.5    Following debate, to which Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis replied, the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Bott and seconded by Councillor Green to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment CARRIED.

 

11.6    The Lord Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the substantive motion CARRIED.

 

          RESOLVED:  

 

          This Council notes the wide range of Westminster communities whose futures will be shaped by Brexit and recognises the contribution of the thousands of friends and neighbours who are citizens from other European Union countries who live in Westminster.

 

          The Council believes that EU nationals who live in Westminster deserve assurances over their future in the UK in order to feel certain that Westminster can remain their long-term home.

 

          The Council recognises the proactive work already undertaken to engage with EU citizens and to provide them with practical support in the run-up to Brexit.

 

          The Council notes the importance of providing funding to the service run by Citizens Advice to support EU nationals living in Westminster with guidance in person, online and by telephone and resolves to request that the Cabinet continues funding this service beyond Brexit.

 

          The Council welcomes the high level of participation by Westminster’s EU citizens at a series of seminars organised by the Council in co-operation with the Home Office which have proved successful in providing opportunities for EU citizens to ask questions and to discuss their concerns.

 

          The Council resolves to remain committed to Westminster’s EU residents, they are an essential part of our community. We shall to continue to offer them support to ensure that EU citizens feel that Westminster continues to be their home both now and after the UK has left the European Union.