Peers face Saturday working and Easter break cut to deliver Brexit

The House of Lords could be "better for having a break", but will be called back if necessary to carry out their "public duty".

By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter

Monday 18 March 2019 22:43, UK

Members of the House of Lords gather as Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen's Speech from the throne as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh listens during State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster on May 18, 2016
Image: Peers were told they could do with a break
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Hundreds of peers could have their Easter break cut and have to work on Saturdays in a bid to deliver Brexit.

The House of Lords was warned that an impasse over Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal had left the fate of their working hours uncertain.

Deputy speaker Lord Taylor of Holbeach said on Monday he thought peers would "all be better for having a break", but would be called back if necessary to perform their "public duty".

The House of Lords was packed for the debate on the bill to trigger Article 50
Image: The House of Lords may have to sit on Saturdays

The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March, but Mrs May's inability to get her Brexit deal through parliament means she asked for a delay until 30 June.

Speaker John Bercow's announcement that she cannot bring back the same agreement - already heavily-defeated twice - will only prolong the period until MPs can vote again on it.

A frustrated Labour peer Lord Harris of Harringey said if the deal passed the Commons and Lords would have to spring into action to enact the necessary laws.

"I think it is incumbent on the government to tell members of both houses, what is likely to be required of them over the next few weeks given those various eventualities so that we can plan accordingly," he said.

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Lord Taylor responded saying "I will tell you now it is possible we might have to do Saturdays" and that he had caveated an announcement about peers getting a break at Easter.

Demonstrators protest against Brexit outside the Houses of Parliament in London
Image: The Brexit deal has been heavily defeated twice

"I don't know, the course of the next fortnight, three weeks, are very, very much involved.

"And until that time comes I can't tell noble Lords whether we are going to have to sacrifice all or part of our Easter recess.

"Speaking personally, I would hope that we do actually have some time away from this place.

"It may be that we will all be better for having a break, if I'm honest.

"But we still have a public duty to perform and if that's necessary we will come back to the House again."

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Mrs May's deal was defeated by 230 votes in January and 149 votes last Tuesday, as Remainers and Brexiteers united to reject it.

She is due in Brussels later this week at an EU Council summit to formally request a delay to Brexit from leaders.

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