PM facing new Commons defeat
Michael, Beyonce and Jay-Z THE fragile Tory truce over Brexit is today on the brink of collapse as Theresa May faces another bruising Commons defeat.
Eurosceptic MPs are furious they are being forced to vote on a Government motion which they claim would commit her to avoiding a no-deal Brexit.
The vote, while not legally binding, gives MPs another chance to have their say on the PM’s exit plans.
They will be asked to confirm they still back the approach to leaving the EU that was passed on January 29.
MPs supported amendments forcing Mrs May to try to renegotiate the Irish border backstop and ruling out a no-deal Brexit.
Those in the hardline European Reform Group have warned Tory whips they will not support the PM’s plan.
Mark Francois, ERG vice-chairman, said: “We cannot vote for this as it is currently configured because it rules out no deal and removes our negotiating leverage in Brussels. It is madness.”
But the PM’s spokesman said: “No-deal is an eventuality we wish to avoid, but one we continue to plan for. Does no-deal remain on the table? The answer is yes.” Government ministers were yesterday back-pedalling after claims Mrs May was running down the clock to blackmail MPs with the threat of a no deal.
Her top Brexit aide Olly Robbins was overheard in a Brussels bar saying MPs would get a last-minute choice to back the PM’s deal, or delay Brexit.
Mrs May dismissed his remarks as “something said by someone else overheard by someone else in a bar”. Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer warned of a “concerted” cross-party effort to get an extension if her Brexit deal fails, as Labour faced a new split over whether to back a second EU referendum. Sir Keir said it was the only “credible option” if Labour’s favoured Brexit deal was not agreed. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell admitted it would be “very difficult” to secure a general election. He said: “If we can’t get our deal through Parliament, we’ve kept the option on the table of going back to the people in a public vote.” CRISIS May in Commons