May dares rebels to defy her on Brexit
EU date to be set in law as PM shores up Eurosceptics in Cabinet with Mordaunt
THERESA MAY today warns pro-european Tory rebels that she will not “tolerate” any attempts to undermine Brexit as she unveils plans to enshrine in law the date that Britain leaves the EU.
The Government last night tabled an amendment to commit Britain formally to leaving the European Union at 11pm on March 29 2019 ahead of a debate and vote in the Commons next week.
The amendment will effectively force pro-european MPS to declare publicly if they oppose leaving the EU in March 2019.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister warns MPS that they must not use the passage of the EU Withdrawal Bill through Parliament over the next month to try to “slow down or stop” Brexit.
The Prime Minister is also attempting to reassert her authority after losing two Cabinet ministers in the space of a week while Brexit talks with Brussels remain deadlocked with no signs of a breakthrough.
She yesterday bowed to the demands of Eurosceptic Tory MPS by appointing Penny Mordaunt, a Brexit supporter who serves as a Royal Naval reservist, to replace Priti Patel as International Development Secretary. Mrs May says in her article: “We will not tolerate attempts from any quarter to use the process of amendments to this Bill as a mechanism to try to block the democratic wishes of the British people by attempting to slow down or stop our departure from the European Union.
“The British people have been clear. Parliament itself voted for Article 50 – and for this bill at its second reading. We are leaving the European Union on March 29 2019.”
She says that the Government’s amendment, which has cross-party backing, will set out in “black and white” that Britain will leave the EU.
The comments will be seen as a direct challenge to Tory rebels, who have said that they are prepared to defeat the Government by siding with opposition parties to secure a legally-binding vote on the final Brexit deal.
The UK will leave at 11pm – an hour earlier than previously thought – because the timing of Brexit under the terms of Article 50 is determined by Brussels.
The Prime Minister says that while she is prepared to work with MPS to “improve” the bill, they must ultimately “come together” and help
the UK secure the best deal for Britain as it leaves the EU. She says: “Let no one doubt our determination or question our resolve, Brexit is happening.
“It will be there in black and white on the front page of this historic piece of legislation. The EU Withdrawal Bill is the single most significant piece of legislation in this Parliament because it is fundamental to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit.”
EU leaders are said to be preparing for the fall of Mrs May’s government within weeks after scandal and divisions threatened her grip on power.
Mrs May’s appointment of Ms Mordaunt, 44, follows a backlash over her decision to appoint Gavin Williamson, the former Chief Whip who backed Remain, as Defence Secretary. The Prime Minister also appointed Victoria Atkins as a Home Office minister.
Allies said that the promotions of the two women showed that Mrs May wants to bring in “fresh blood” ahead of a full reshuffle later this year.
The promotion of Ms Mordaunt came after Ms Patel was forced to resign over secret meetings with Israeli politicians. She is expected to make a series of interventions from the backbenches during the debate over the EU Withdrawal Bill.