Tory rebels could block May’s plans
TORY Eurosceptics have hit back at Theresa May by tabling amendments to a key Brexit Bill which could kill off her Chequers plan for future relations with the EU.
The four amendments to the crucial Customs Bill were put down a day before today’s publication of a White Paper setting out the Prime Minister’s plans, which infuriated Leavers and prompted the resignation of Cabinet ministers Boris Johnson and David Davis.
A rebellion by Eurosceptic backbenchers could wipe out Mrs May’s majority when the Bill returns to the Commons on Monday, in what would be the first significant test of strength for her Brexit critics.
The PM insisted that the deal she agreed with her Cabinet at Chequers last week “delivers on the vote that people gave on Brexit” in the 2016 referendum.
But prominent Brexiteer Jacob ReesMogg described it as a “breakdown in trust” and said Mrs May must now U–turn or be forced to rely on Labour votes to get her legislation through Parliament.
One of the rebel amendments demands the UK scrap an offer in the Chequers plan, to collect taxes and duties on behalf of the EU, unless the remaining 27 member states pledge to do the same for Britain.
A second amendment, reportedly backed by the Democratic Unionist Party, would force the Government to commit itself in law not to allow a customs border down the Irish Sea. And others would require the UK to have a separate VAT regime from the EU and force the Prime Minister to table primary legislation if she wishes to keep Britain in the customs union.
Mr Rees-Mogg, who chairs the European Research Group of Eurosceptic Tories, told reporters: “Unfortunately Chequers was a breakdown in trust. Brexit meant Brexit, but now it appears Brexit means remaining subject to European laws.
“I believe this will help the Government stick to the promises it made.
“It may resolve the dilemma the Prime Minister faces. Does she rely on Labour votes to achieve Brexit or does she change her mind and go back to Lancaster House? Will she stick to her earlier words?”
The move came amid warnings that the PM was facing “guerrilla warfare” in Parliament from angry Tory backbenchers determined to block her plans.
Speaking at the Nato summit in Brussels, Mrs May insisted her Chequers deal delivered on the “red lines” which she set out in her Lancaster House speech last year.
“It delivers on the vote that people gave on Brexit, it delivers the fact that we will have an end to free movement, we will have an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK, we won’t be sending vast contributions to the EU every year, we’ll be out of the Common Agricultural Policy, out of the Common Fisheries Policy,” she said.
“We deliver that Brexit and we do it in a way that protects jobs and livelihoods and meets our commitment to Northern Ireland.”