PM may axe deal as Bercow blocks vote
Johnson says it is time to ‘move on’ as Remainer MPS plot to wreck the Withdrawal Agreement
BORIS JOHNSON is expected to abandon Brexit legislation in Parliament rather than accept a customs union or second referendum, rebel MPS were warned last night.
Ministers are hoping to force Brexit legislation through the Commons by Thursday evening in an attempt to leave the EU by the end of the month.
But John Bercow yesterday blocked a government attempt to hold a “clean” yes or no vote on whether MPS back the deal, seen as crucial in building the momentum needed to get it through Parliament in time for an Oct 31 exit.
Mr Johnson must now attempt to get his 110-page Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the Commons and the Lords in the space of a week.
However, there are growing doubts as Labour MPS plot to table amendments designed to effectively wreck his plans, including demands for a customs union and a second referendum.
If any amendment passes, the Prime Minister is expected to abandon the legislation and accept the need for an extension – and then demand an immediate general election.
Remainers are also planning to reject the timetable for pushing the legislation quickly through Parliament, making it “almost impossible” to get the deal ratified by next week’s deadline if successful, say Whitehall sources.
Mr Johnson insisted last night it was time to “move on” as No10 reiterated there would be no more delays.
Michael Gove, the minister in charge of no-deal planning, said the risk of no deal had “increased materially” after
Parliament failed to back the new Withdrawal Agreement on Saturday and the Government’s Operation Yellowhammer contingency had been triggered. However, Mr Johnson could only legally take Britain out of the EU without a deal if Brussels refused an extension, which is considered unlikely.
Mr Bercow’s refusal to allow a socalled meaningful vote yesterday meant a vote today on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – the legislation needed to leave the EU with a deal – will be the first indication of whether it can command a majority in the Commons.
Mr Gove told MPS last night the only way to avoid no deal was to back the Prime Minister’s deal, and he warned them against “attempts to delay, capsize or hole it below the waterline”.
He said: “We must now intensify contingency arrangements – that is why
‘The public doesn’t want any more delays – and neither do I. Let’s get Brexit done on October 31 and move on’
Government Brexit preparations now move into their final, most intensive phase and Operation Yellowhammer is triggered.”
He warned MPS that while many were counting on a further Article 50 extension, there was no guarantee that the EU would grant one, which would mean a no-deal Brexit next week.
The Prime Minister has already been forced to ask for an extension, however, which he would be legally obliged to accept if the EU offered one. He will today tell MPS: “The public doesn’t want any more delays, neither do other European leaders and neither do I. Let’s get Brexit done on Oct 31 and move on.”
The Conservatives are making plans for a general election before Christmas to break the impasse if the Brexit deal is not ratified next week and the EU grants a further extension. Labour has
made it clear it would not agree to an election until the “threat” of no deal had passed, meaning Parliament was unlikely to vote on an election until November.
Jacob Rees-mogg, the Leader of the House, last night told how the Government intends to fast-track the legislation. But Labour, the Lib Dems and some Tory MPS said they would oppose that, accusing the Government of “treating Parliament with contempt”. Labour MPS aim to table three amendments, any one of which could force Mr Johnson to abandon his attempts to get the legislation through Parliament.
On Saturday MPS refused to accept the PM’S Brexit deal until Parliament had passed all necessary legislation. Mr Johnson had wanted a “clean” yes or no vote, but the Commons passed Sir Oliver Letwin’s amendment.
Yesterday Mr Johnson tried to table his motion again, only for Mr Bercow to rule it could not be proposed twice in the same Parliamentary session.
Bernard Jenkin, the Tory MP, told the Speaker: “I note you sometimes have to please some and not others. But it is becoming remarkable how often you please one lot and not the other.”