May: Will of people must be respected
THERESA May has insisted Westminster cannot be allowed to “overturn the will of the British people” on Brexit.
The Prime Minister was speaking as she confirmed that the UK Government is expected to table a new amendment to her EU Withdrawal
Bill today, setting out in more detail the terms of the “meaningful vote” promised to MPS on the final Brexit deal.
On Tuesday, she saw off a threatened defeat on the issue in the Commons by assuring would-be rebels that she would take their concerns on board.
But pro-eu Tories warned they remained ready to rebel if their demands are not satisfied.
The legislation is due to return to the Lords on Monday when it is expected peers will reverse the changes in the Commons to demand
MPS have the final say should the Brexit deal be rejected. This means that if Mrs May’s compromise amendment does not satisfy the potential Tory rebels, they could vote against itin July.
The PM said her approach would be guided by the principle that “the Government’s hand in negotiations cannot be tied by Parliament, but we need to be accountable to Parliament”.
She said: “I cannot countenance Parliament being able to overturn the will of the British people. Parliament gave the decision to the British people, the British people voted to leave the European Union.”