Pmmaysufferssetbacks despitenewroleformps
Labour Party bigwigs threaten no-confidence vote against government
LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May has offered a new role for the MPS in the Brexit process, but suffered setbacks in the House of Commons on Wednesday that saw the impartiality of the speaker called into question, with some describing the scenario as a Parliamentary “riot”.
There were unusual scenes as the speaker, John Bercow, accepted an amendment that forces the government to come up with a “Plan B” within three days of the withdrawal agreement being voted down on January 15.
The amendment was passed, much to the discomfiture of the ruling benches. The government also lost on Tuesday night when another amendment curbing its financial powers in the event of a “no-deal Brexit” without authorisation from Parliament.
On Wednesday, two Labour frontbenchers hinted that the party is considering a no-confidence motion against May. Such a scenario might precipitate into a general election. Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, told BBC Radio 4, “The next thing to do immediately after that (the vote) is for there to be a vote of confidence in the government.”
Speaking on Sky News, Andrew Gwynne, the shadow communities secretary, revealed a similar plan of action. Asked if he had a confidence vote on his mind, he said, “Absolutely.”
The tussle between pro and anti-brexit forces intensified as the five-day Brexit debate began after the Prime Minister’s Question Time, when May announced that MPS will get the final say on whether the controversial “backstop” for Irelandnorthern Ireland will come into force.
The backstop is a fallback option to avoid a hard border between the two if a trade deal is not agreed upon at the end of the transition period - December 31, 2020. It is seen by many as tethering the UK to EU rules permanently. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called it “windowdressing”, but May insisted she gained new EU assurances, adding, “These discussions have shown that further clarification on the backstop is possible.”
“We’ve been looking at how Parliament can take a greater role as we take negotiations to the next stage. I can tell the House that in the event that our future relationship or alternative arrangements are not ready by the end of 2020, Parliament will have a vote on whether to seek to extend the implementation period or bring the backstop into effect,” she said.
The government lost the vote on the amendment by 11 votes (297-308).