British Prime Minister wins key Brexit vote despite ongoing rebellion
LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May narrowly survived another crunch Brexit vote in parliament, as she struggles to unify her divided party around her strategy for leaving the European Union.
The Conservative government defeated an amendment introduced by its own backbench MPs to a future trade policy bill which would have kept Britain in a customs union with the EU if it fails to agree a free trade deal.
If the amendment had passed it would have thrown May’s Brexit strategy into disarray and increased pressure on the already beleaguered leader.
Government whips overcame the rebellion by a dozen Tory lawmakers – reportedly issuing last-ditch threats it would prompt a no-confidence vote in the prime minister – and scraped through by six votes, winning by 307 to 301.
It was bolstered by the support of four pro-Brexit opposition Labour Party MPs.
Ministers argued the amendment would put ‘massive restrictions’ on its ability to forge ‘an independent trade policy’ after Britain leaves the European Union next March.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told parliament the government’s future trade bill was “an important bill providing continuity and stability.”
“It will be the confident first step that the UK takes in establishing itself as an independent trading nation,” he added.
The government lost another, less crucial vote on another backbench amendment calling for future participation in the European medicines regulatory network.
The entire trade bill passed by 31 votes and now moves to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before returning to the Commons for a final vote.
May is battling to unite her Conservative Party around her Brexit blueprint formally unveiled last week following months of cabinet infighting.
It would see Britain ask the European Union for a free trade area for goods through a ‘facilitated customs arrangement’ alongside a ‘common rulebook’.
Brexiteers believe that keeps Britain too close to the EU, while pro-Europeans think it fails to protect the country’s dominant services sector, among other gripes.
The backlash has seen the prime minister face persistent rumours Tory MPs are planning to topple her. — AFP