Alliance ‘split’ on next move to foil Brexit
Securing of a deal with the EU throws rebel group into confusion over amendment timing
THE “Remain alliance” appeared in disarray last night as MPS failed to agree on a plan of action to thwart Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
An initial plan to try to force a vote on a second referendum faltered yesterday afternoon. By last night, a new plan attempting to force Mr Johnson to ask Brussels for a Brexit delay even if his deal gets through Parliament was being formulated.
The group of Labour MPS, Lib Dems and People’s Vote backers have decided against tabling a second referendum amendment on the deal.
Instead the group of MPS, led by Hilary Benn, plan to table an amendment tomorrow that would strengthen the powers of the Benn Act.
At present, the Act requires Mr Johnson to ask for an extension if he cannot get MPS to vote for his deal. Guto Bebb, one of the 21 Tory rebels who has com- mitted to a second referendum, said: “The Prime Minister deserves an op- portunity to put this deal to the House unencumbered. We don’t think a Confirmatory Vote on Saturday helps.”
They now plan to table a technical amendment to strengthen the Benn Act. Mr Bebb said: “There are some people in the ERG saying they might vote for it on Saturday and not for the Bill next week – to get around the Benn Act. We’re not taking any risks.”
The amendment would force Mr Johnson to send the letter asking for a Brexit delay even if he wins the vote on his deal. Mr Bebb said it is an “insurance policy” that would be negated if the legislation for the deal passed in time for Oct 31.
Yesterday morning, there were initial plans to table a “confirmatory vote” amendment by Phil Wilson and Peter Kyle, Labour MPS who had been drafting the text for weeks. The proposal that appeared to carry the most support was for a so-called confirmatory referendum, which would see MPS vote through the deal provided it was then put to the public against the option to Remain. Mr Wilson said he was ready to put down his amendment “at the appropriate time”.
He said he had the “full support of the [Labour] front bench”.
However, Mr Wilson said, the situation “changes by the hour”.
Soon after Mr Johnson agreed the deal with Brussels, splits began to emerge among the Remain alliance.
One MP said: “The People’s Vote have quickly realised there is no appetite among their supporters to push it through on Saturday. I don’t think even their supporters were onside. As long as we don’t lose the Benn Act provision, it is important to see on Saturday whether the PM’S deal can pass.”
Instead, the rebels could table the second referendum amendment on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill “when it starts to make its passage through the House”. However, splits last night started to emerge about this plan.
Mr Bebb said: “The majority of the 21 will vote for the deal. Some of the group are suffering significant ‘buyer’s remorse’ and want the whip back. The only thing we all agreed with is we wanted to stop no-deal.”
The majority of 21 Conservative rebels who lost the Tory whip are now expected to vote for the deal. Sir Oliver Letwin called it “admirable” and said he would be voting in favour. David Gauke, Stephen Hammond and Greg Clark said they would vote for the deal.
Other Remain alliance MPS are on the fence about whether to vote for it, including Amber Rudd, who yesterday said she was “still thinking about it”.
Meanwhile, the Government cast doubt on whether any second referendum could be forced through.
Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told the BBC’S Politics Live show: “That ain’t gonna happen.” Pressed again on whether MPS could vote for it, Mr Gove said: “They aren’t going to. They are not going to.”
The Labour Party yesterday appeared to pull in different directions on the second referendum.
Mr Corbyn told reporters that while the “best way” to resolve the Brexit deadlock was to give the “people a final say in a public vote”, he did not think a vote on the issue would arise tomorrow. He also described reports that Labour could back such a vote as “high-level speculation on a hypothetical question”.
‘The Prime Minister deserves an opportunity to put this deal to the House unencumbered’
While the party has pledged to vote down the deal, Labour insiders have so far refused to give their backing to proposals for a second public vote.
The confusion came after MPS yesterday voted to change the timetable for tomorrow’s sitting, meaning amendments – including one proposing a second referendum – could be tabled and voted upon in the Commons. Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said the party would be making the case for a referendum on the deal on what is being dubbed “Super Saturday”.
“If Boris Johnson has confidence in his deal, he should put it back to the people in a public vote against Remain – and that is an argument we will be making on Saturday,” the opposition frontbencher tweeted. Sir Keir said the deal “paves the way for a decade of deregulation” and argued it would give the Government “licence to slash” worker, environment and consumer protections.
Tony Lloyd, Labour’s Northern Ireland spokesman, also said Labour MPS were “bound” to vote for holding a referendum should Mr Johnson find a majority to support his exit terms.
The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Corbyn is opposed to any vote on a second referendum that requires Mr Johnson’s deal to be conditionally approved by Parliament. One source said the clearest route to a second public vote was still to bring about a general election, with a Labour government promising a referendum within six months.
Mr Corbyn is also reportedly worried that forcing a vote on a second referendum tomorrow could push a number of his MPS opposed to another public vote into backing Mr Johnson’s deal.
Thousands of pro-eu protesters are expected to descend on Westminster tomorrow in a rally organised by the People’s Vote, with speakers said to include Sir Keir; Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor; and Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson.
The SNP has tabled an amendment to Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal demanding an immediate extension to the Oct 31 deadline. Ian Blackford, the SNP’S Parliamentary leader, said opposition parties needed to “quit dithering, back our amendment, and finally act to bring this appalling Tory government down and stop Brexit”.
‘If Boris Johnson has confidence in his deal, he should put it back to the people in a public vote’