Brexit battles set up by Remoaning peers
THE POWER GRAB
Nicknamed the ‘kill Brexit’ amendment, it would rip powers from Theresa May over the negotiations and hand them to Parliament, which could veto ‘no deal’ and force Mrs May to try again. Ministers say it would undermine the Prime Minister’s authority, encourage the EU to give us a bad deal and ultimately used to stop Brexit entirely. Danger rating 5/5
CUSTOMS UNION
Another amendment which crashes through Mrs May’s red lines and would cause chaos in the Government’s negotiating position. It would require the Prime Minister to report on her efforts to keep the UK in a customs union – something which would make it impossible to negotiate new trade deals with countries around the world. Backed by Labour, so ministers will be counting every vote. Danger rating 4/5
THE CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
When Labour signed up to the controversial EU rights charter they claimed it would have no more legal relevance than the Beano. But the catalogue of rights have made it harder to keep foreign criminals and terrorists out of the country. Ministers will seek to overturn it, arguing key rights are enforced by other laws. Danger rating 2/5
SINGLE MARKET
This would force Theresa May to negotiate to keep Britain in the European Economic Area – the so-called Norway option – and with it continued free movement of EU nationals for an indefinite period. Backed by proRemain Labour MPs and some Tories but is likely to fail because Labour will whip its MPs to vote against it. Danger rating 3/5
EXIT DATE
The Withdrawal Bill expressly declares that Britain will leave the EU on March 29, 2019, but this amendment makes it easier to delay our departure. Eurosceptics say it would be seen as a vote against Brexit, could be ‘catastrophic’ politically and could damage the chances of a good deal. Danger rating 4/5
NORTHERN IRELAND
Proposed by Tory former EU Commissioner Lord Patten, it would tie the Government’s hands on the Northern Ireland border. Eurosceptics say it would – in effect – give the Republic of Ireland a veto on any post-Brexit border arrangements, significantly weakening our negotiating position. Danger rating 3/5