House of Commons endorses May's vision of 'hard' Brexit

A MAJORITY in the House of Commons approved - unamended - last Wednesday the Article 50 legislation proposed by the government, which is needed to trigger the United Kingdom's formal exit talks with the European Union.

The chamber has, in effect, endorsed Prime Minister Theresa May's vision of a 'hard' Brexit and Article 50 will likely be triggered next month, possibly at the EU Summit on March 9, aligning with Mrs May's previously touted schedule.

The legislation now passes to the House of Lords where many have already flagged concerns about Brexit. It is possible this upper chamber could seek to revise the legislation, but it seems unlikely that it will block the Bill - to do so now could prompt a potential UK constitutional crisis on such an important issue.