The UK Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the earlier ruling of the country’s High Court to block the use of the royal prerogative to invoke Article 50 of The Lisbon Treaty is a victory for common sense. In doing so, it leaves the door open for the UK Parliament or its people to change their minds should they ever wish to do so.

Jo Leinen, a German Member of the European Parliament and President of the European Movement International said, “As a parliamentarian and a democrat I welcome the Supreme Court ruling. It should fall upon the U.K. Parliament to decide whether the rights conferred upon British citizens by Parliament can be removed due to Britain’s exit from the EU.”

The ruling, one of major constitutional importance for the UK, which involved a panel of 11 Supreme Court justices rather than the usual 5, ensures that a legislative act is needed to trigger the UK’s exit from the EU.

Mr Leinen MEP added, “We have a long negotiation ahead of us and we must keep the interests of people in mind, not least the British people. If at any stage they feel that life outside of the EU pales by comparison to life inside the EU, they can rest assured that the EU will be prepared to see an end to the Article 50 process and welcome our British friends back.”

The European Movement has long argued that the UK is more dependent on the EU than vice versa, given that 60% of total UK trade is covered by EU membership and the preferential access it grants to 53 markets outside the EU.

Read the full press release here.