Dear Editor,
I am very disappointed that the Guyana media did not see it fit to write on the very important Brexit case which can affect the lives of 30 thousand Guyanese living in Britain and the tens of millions in the UK and Europe.
The UK is our motherland; it is only 50 years since we severed ties with Britain by way of political independence, but we still maintain their laws, and systems. Moreover, the case which went to the Supreme Court was initiated by a Guyanese woman, Gina Miller, who proceeded with it despite threats to her life, and in the end was successful.
But there are other reasons why this case should be widely publicized. It shows that unlike what obtains in Guyana and the Caribbean, cases are dealt with expeditiously.
In two months this matter was determined by the entire panel of 11 judges. Maybe the most important reason of all is that the law lords, at least eight of them, were not afraid to rule against the Crown ‒ the government.
Miller’s move to the court has raised criticism in certain quarters, and even death threats,
and she had to secure the services of round-the-clock security. The case raised fundamental constitutional questions about the UK’s uncodified constitution, and the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.
The court found that the Royal Prerogative cannot take away the rights of the two claimants, Miller and Dos Santos, a Spanish-born hairdresser, who hold UK and EU citizenship respectively. These were created by the European Community Act 1972 which brings into force all rights from time to time created by the EU Parliament.
The action by Miller and Dos Santos was prompted by a referendum some eight months ago when the electorate voted to exit the European Community. The loss of that referendum prompted the then Prime Minister David Cameron to resign.
He was replaced by Theresa May who is scheduled to meet with the new President of the US Donald Trump on Friday.
The Brexit issue will now have to go to Parliament in order to obtain approval to trigger Article 50 which would begin the process of the UK leaving the EU. Commentators feel that the lawmakers will agree to do so, but if they do not there will be controversy and mass demonstrations.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
