Q&A
What did last night’s amendment say?
MINISTERS had proposed that Parliament could have a ‘take it or leave it’ vote on Theresa May’s final Brexit deal with Brussels. If they rejected it, Britain would leave with no deal. Rebels fear the vote might come too late to stop Brexit. Now, as a result of last night’s vote, MPs and peers have the opportunity to amend it at will and in theory force Mrs May back to the negotiating table.
Why did the Tory rebels vote for it?
THEY claim to have the noble intention of trying to preserve Parliament’s role in the Brexit process. They even invoke the promise of the Leave campaign of ‘taking back control’. While this may be true for some, it is surely no coincidence the rebels are all arch Remainers.
What concessions did ministers offer?
THEY committed to having a dedicated Act of Parliament for implementing the deal, offered a series of assurances yesterday morning about Parliament’s role and at the last minute, promised to introduce a similar amendment at a later stage.
What are the consequences?
POTENTIALLY disastrous. In the first instance it undermines the PM in the eyes of EU negotiators – just at the moment she had got through the first phase of the talks, allowing them to progress to the all-important trade deal. It makes it harder for ministers to pass the laws needed for what the PM called an ‘orderly and smooth Brexit’. But worse, when it comes to the vote on the final deal, MPs could collectively attempt to force Mrs May to return to the negotiating table after she has signed the deal, which is binding in international law. At that point, Britain is in a full-blown constitutional crisis.
What happens then?
IN THEORY, Parliament could try to send Mrs May back again and again, potentially delaying the date of departure and leaving the EU and the UK in Brexit limbo. Eurosceptics, and even some former Remainers, fear it is an attempt to stop Brexit entirely. Former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin said it was clear the rebels wanted ‘the ability to derail Brexit’. He added: ‘It is a matter of logical fact that the only alternative to a deal you don’t like or no deal is to leave the whole matter aside and not leave the EU.’
What now?
IT IS possible ministers could attempt to overturn the amendment at a later date by buying off some of the rebels. Otherwise the amendment stands, and the degree of uncertainty around Brexit increases exponentially. According to bookmakers, the chances of a Corbyn government have also shot up overnight.