May savages opposition over efforts to sabotage ‘Team UK’ negotiations
THERESA May yesterday angrily accused Labour and the Lib Dems of seeking to sabotage “Team UK” in negotiations with the EU.
Downing Street said opponents were trying to delay and limit British negotiators’ ability to get the best possible deal.
Her comments came as the Supreme Court began hearing the Government’s appeal against a ruling that the Prime Minister must consult Parliament before invoking Article 50 to trigger formal Brexit talks.
Losing the case could force the Government to put legislation before Parliament – making it vulnerable to “hijack” attempts by pro-Remain forces.
Jeremy Corbyn at the weekend said Labour would seek to amend it to secure assurances on continued access to EU markets, workplace rights and environmental protections, although he insists he respects the overall decision of the referendum that Britain will leave the EU.
The Lib Dems – who have only nine MPs but 100 peers in the Lords – say that if given a vote they would try to block Article 50 unless the Government promises a second referendum on the eventual outcome of the Brexit talks.
The Scottish National Party meanwhile has claimed it could block Brexit if the Supreme Court judges give the Scottish Parliament a veto.
The Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said opponents were trying to tie the Government’s hands in negotiation.
She said: “If you are backing the UK team, you want them to be able to go into the negotiation and get the best deal possible.
“That means not having hands tied in negotiation.”
The Government, she our added, wanted a united front “to focus on how we get the best deal”.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said it was “silly” to suggest his party was undermining negotiators but insisted the British people and their MPs must have a role and not leave it to a “stitch up” where only ministers and bureaucrats decided the country’s future.
Tomorrow Mrs May faces a potential Parliamentary headache when Labour seeks a showdown on demands for the Government to spell out its Brexit plan before invoking Article 50.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Government had not yet decided its approach to the vote, where it could back the Labour motion to avoid defeat, or table its own amendment.
But, asked if the Government would set out its Brexit negotiating stance to MPs, he said: “As we have said, that is the best way to get the worst possible deal.”