My "short" update on the progress of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. This is the legislation that gives Parliament's consent to allow the Government to enact Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, thereby beginning the process of our withdrawal from the EU. The terms of our leaving is not for now, that is for forthcoming negotiations.
We should not tie the hands of the Government going into negotiations, we want the best deal possible for Britain and so should not reveal our red lines, which any amendment to this Bill would become, to the EU.
Hopefully the Bill will pass through the House of Lords unamended - just as it went through the Commons - meaning the Government can activate Article 50. Just because we do not accept amendments around EU citizens' rights or trade agreements in this Bill does not mean that I do not agree with them, moreover it is that this is not the appropriate place for these amendments to take place.