Day Lords finally lost the plot

They vote to frustrate will of people yet again – as it’s revealed peer had no idea what day it was

UNELECTED peers set up a further showdown with the Commons last night after voting to give Parliament the final say on Brexit.

They decided by 354 to 235 to hand Parliament the power to block Britain’s exit from the EU without an agreement – despite warnings it would wreck hopes of securing a good deal from Brussels.

Ominously for the Government, the 119 majority was 28 more than the last time peers debated the so- called ‘ meaningful vote’ earlier this year.

Their decision is likely to inflame complaints that the Lords are out of touch with public opinion. It comes as it emerged that one elderly peer did not even know what day of the week it was when he was found lost in a Commons cloakroom recently.

Tory whips were last night mobilising to prevent the amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill being passed by MPs when it returns to the Commons tomorrow. Sources acknowledged that the vote was set to be ‘nail-bitingly close’.

The ploy was drawn up by former Tory Cabinet minister Viscount Hailsham and former attorney general Dominic Grieve, who admitted on Sunday his plans could ‘collapse the Government’.

Pro-Brexit peers warned the move could make it impossible for the UK to walk away from the talks with Brussels – forcing Mrs May to accept any deal offered by the EU.

Lord Hailsham denied a charge from Tory peer Lord Robathan that he was trying to ‘ destroy Brexit’. But he added: ‘I don’t believe in Brexit, that is perfectly true. I think it is a national calamity.’

He claimed it was in the ‘national interest’ to allow Parliament to ‘intervene’ to prevent a no- deal Brexit. He admitted holding talks with Labour and Lib Dem peers in an effort to force the measure through, but said: ‘This is the high court of Parliament – we are not party hacks.’

Last night’s vote came despite a fresh appeal to peers from Theresa May to respect the referendum result. The Prime Minister said: ‘We need to make sure that Parliament can’t tie the Government’s hands in negotiation and can’t overturn the will of the British people.’

Yesterday’s vote follows the collapse of talks between Mrs May and Mr Grieve last week.

Mr Grieve initially demanded that Parliament have the power to ‘direct’ the Government in the event of no deal with Brussels being agreed. His ‘ compromise’ proposal, which was passed by the Lords, would mean MPs would have to approve the Government’s next course of action.

Tory rebel Heidi Allen last night welcomed the Lords’ vote and confirmed she would vote against the Government tomorrow unless ministers back down. She said: ‘Parliament must have a meaningful vote in the event of a no-deal Brexit.’

But Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Lords was being ‘ really cavalier in its approach to the constitution’.

Tory leader in the Lords, Baroness Evans, said she was ‘disappointed’ by Lord Hailsham’s decision to push ahead with the demand, saying his amendment suffered ‘major flaws, both political and constitutional’.

But other Tory peers went further. Lord Robathan said his amendment was designed to ‘sabotage Brexit’. Lord True said the plan would give the Commons ‘potential control over the Government in negotiations’. He added: ‘I believe that to be utterly impractical and totally unconstitutional.’