PASS THE SICK BAG
‘Shameful’ May targets ill MPs in Brexit vote row
THERESA May narrowly dodged a Commons defeat yesterday after refusing to help sick opposition MPs take part in the crunch vote on Brexit.
The Conservatives snubbed a convention in which those too ill to pass through the Commons voting lobbies can be “nodded through” from a vehicle in the grounds.
So several MPs were forced to come into the Commons from hospital. Among them was Labour’s Naz Shah, who was pushed in to vote in a wheelchair with a sick bucket.
Pregnant Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson came in despite being past her due date. Afterwards, she said: “This is no way to run a Parliament in a modern democracy.”
A Labour MP said the tactic, aimed at deterring ill Remainers, was “the lowest of the low” and “simply outrageous”. And Lord Prescott branded the move “absolutely bloody shameful”. MPs eventually voted 319 to 303 to reject a Lords amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill that would have ensured MPs got the chance to block a no-deal Brexit, and the Bill can now become law. In a last-minute concession to Remainers, MPs were told a statement will be issued today making clear it is ultimately for Speaker John Bercow to decide whether they get a “meaningful vote” on a no-deal withdrawal. But Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said yesterday’s vote would strengthen Mrs May’s hand at a key Brussels summit later this month.
He added: “This means the Prime Minister goes to negotiations with full strength.”
Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who today unveils details of the post Brexit settlement scheme for EU citizens, slammed Brussels last night for failing to plan for our expats.