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
Sir Christopher ChopeConservative
1 May 2012
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This bill would declare the UK Parliament sovereign by blocking any treaty or law that increases the powers of the European Union unless a UK referendum approves it. It would override key constitutional rules, including the European Communities Act 1972 and the royal prerogative, and could affect how and when the monarch grants royal assent. In essence, it ties future EU-related power changes to a public vote.
The bill is at the second reading in the House of Commons. It originated in the Commons and has previously had a first reading in 2010 and a second reading in 2011.
Generated 21 February 2026
5 Jul 2010
18 Mar 2011
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
