LABOUR REBELS THROW MAY A LIFELINE PAGES 6&7
Party mavericks blamed for backing Tory leader
THERESA May last night survived a Tory rebellion of MPs who wanted the UK to remain in the EU customs union.
In another day of Westminster drama, the Government won a division on the customs union by six votes, 307 to 301, offering the under-pressure Prime Minister a brief respite.
The Government argued that the motion for a customs union will prevent them from striking international trade deals. But 12 pro-Remain rebels on the Tory benches were unconvinced.
However, four pro-Brexit Labour MPs and one MP suspended from Labour voted with the Government.
Minutes earlier, the Government were defeated as MPs voted for continued UK involvement in the EU’s regulatory system for medicines.
The vote, by a margin of 305-301, came amid desperate efforts by Tory whips to fend off a more significant defeat on an amendment on remaining in the customs union with the EU after Brexit.
The motion by Tory MP Stephen Hammond called for a free trade area for goods and if that is not possible, a customs union with the EU – exactly what the PM has been saying she does not want.
With the full extent of the Tory civil war on Europe on display in the Commons, Government whips warned rebels that they could call a confidence vote on the Prime Minister, potentially leading to a general election, if the Government were defeated.
In extraordinary scenes, international trade minister George Hollingberry tried to buy off the rebels by offering to amend the Bill when it goes to the House of Lords but that was rejected by Hammond.
The Tory Remain rebels were out for revenge on the hard Brexit wing of the party, who on Monday night scuppered the PM’s compromise deal by forcing the Government to accept their changes.
But by surviving both rebellions, May bought much-needed breathing space as she continues to come under pressure from both wings of her party over Brexit.
Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, said the Government’s handling of Brexit over the past week has been an utter shambles.
He added: “We have a Prime Minister who is in office but not in power. Each day that ministers waste arguing among themselves increases the risk of the UK crashing out of Europe without an agreement”
The SNP’s Stewart Hosie MP commented: “The UK Government won this by the skin of their teeth and it was Labour’s hard Brexiteers who came to the aid of Theresa May – to their shame.
“The Tories’ utter arrogance has been staggering – and over an issue as important as this they have shown a total dereliction of duty. They have completely ignored
Scotland’s interests and continue to ride roughshod over Scotland’s Parliament and people.”
The SNP’s Angus MacNeil, who was missing for the crucial vote on Monday evening which the Government only survived by three votes, immediately tweeted: “SNP Government have no option but to hold #indyref2 in next year or so –big bad clouds have golden linings. (only applies to Scotland)”
He was immediately ridiculed by Scottish Tory MP John Lamont, who accused the SNP of using Brexit as an excuse for another independence referendum.
Lamont said: It is as predictable as it is pathetic.
“We don’t sort out Brexit by taking Scotland back to another divisive referendum.”
Pro-EU Labour MP Chuka Umunna said he was “delighted” the Government has suffered a defeat over post-Brexit medicines regulations. But he hit out at Labour Brexiteers who had helped May avoid a humiliating reverse.
“It’s very disappointing and our communities will question why Labour MPs are jeopardising jobs,” he said.
The Government did not go forward with a plan to bring forward the summer recess for MPs after claims it was a ploy by May to avoid a leadership challenge.