A Bill to reaffirm the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament; and for connected purposes.
The Bill seeks to confirm the sovereignty of the UK Parliament by prohibiting the Government from signing, ratifying or implementing a treaty or law which increases the powers of the European Union over the United Kingdom, unless it has first been approved in a UK referendum.If enacted, the Bill would override the requirements of the European Communities Act 1972, the rule of prerogative, the rule of international law, and any other Act of Parliament, unless the latter expressly stated to the contrary. The requirement for the Queen to withhold Assent from a Bill without a referendum first having been won would seem to interfere with a constitutional personal prerogative of the Crown.
House of Commons
13 April 2010
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill asserts that Parliament is sovereign in the UK and would require a UK referendum before any treaty or law could increase the powers of the European Union. It would override existing rules (like the European Communities Act 1972, prerogative powers, and international law) unless those rules expressly say otherwise, and it notes potential conflicts with the Crown’s royal assent.
The bill is currently at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. It originated in the Commons and had its first reading in January 2010.
Generated 21 February 2026
13 Jan 2010
This Bill was presented to Parliament on 13 January 2010. This is known as First Reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
The 2009-10 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
