The government has lost a historic battle in the Supreme Court over Brexit.

This morning justices ruled by a majority of eight to three that the government cannot lawfully bypass MPs and trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without an Act of Parliament.

This means the process of Britain leaving the European Union cannot formally begin until MPs have voted in the Commons.

The judgement was made 'owing to the well-established rule that prerogative powers may not extend to acts which result in a change to UK domestic law'.

All Oxfordshire MPs have been contacted by the Oxford Mail for comment this morning. 

Oxford Mail:

Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, said: “It is reassuring that the Supreme Court has upheld parliamentary sovereignty over triggering Brexit and it is right that a bill must come before the Houses of Parliament.

“I will certainly be looking for the opportunity for amendments to that bill and, if at all possible, I will be voting to stay in the single market and protect safeguards on employment and environmental standards and look to see what we can do to safeguard both the vital interest of the local car industry and our universities and research institutes.

“This ought to open up the opportunity for MPs to help shape the course of the Brexit negotiations.

“I believe the result of the referendum must be honoured but I am concerned in so doing that the best interests of the county and my constituents are upheld.”

Oxford Mail:

Victoria Prentis, MP for Banbury, said: 

“I went to watch the judgment today at the Supreme Court. I thought it showed all that is best about our settled constitution.

“There were important constitutional principals at stake. Brexit will happen and I have no doubt that Parliament will vote to trigger Article 50. While I voted to remain at the referendum, I believe in our democracy. We must respect the result and today’s decision by the Supreme Court.”

Oxford Mail:

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood said: "‘While I voted and campaigned to Remain in the EU the outcome of the referendum was clear and to try and override that democratic free vote would be unthinkable.

"As negotiations get underway to leave the EU and to form agreements with other countries I will be working hard to protect local jobs and prosperity in our area as I always have done, and I intend to play my full part as Parliament helps to secure the best possible deal for the UK."

Oxford Mail:

Witney MP Robert Courts said: "The Supreme Court has given its ruling on the legal process, as is their duty, and I thank all the judges for their care and professionalism.

"The Government will now introduce legislation which Parliament will consider.

"It is important to remember that today’s ruling is about process, not about whether or not Britain leaves the European Union.

"That decision was made in a referendum backed by Parliament by a margin of six to one, and Parliament has also indicated its support for the timetable the Government has set out.

"My focus will be, as it is always is, to safeguard the interests of the people of West Oxfordshire and to ensure that they can make the most of the opportunities that present themselves in the coming months and years. 

"People voted differently across the country.

"Parts of the country voted to remain and parts of the country voted to leave.

"What we do now is unite behind the result of the vote that took place.

"We come together as a country, we go out there, we make a success of this, and we ensure that we build a truly global Britain.”

Green party members, including figures in Oxford, have welcomed the Supreme Court ruling.

Councillor Craig Simmons, a Remain campaigner who will speak at the Oxford for Europe meeting at Oxford Town Hall this Friday, said: "Greens locally will be applying pressure to Oxford's MPs to vote against Government plans for a 'hard Brexit'.

"Unless Government substantially shift their position this means voting against the triggering of Article 50 - which is what Oxford's electorate voted for anyway."