Welsh politicians back people’s vote
WELSH MPs are involved in cross-party talks aimed at avoiding a no-deal Brexit and securing a fresh referendum with an option that could see the UK staying in the European Union.
As things stand, the House of Commons remains in deadlock, with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit seemingly increasing by the day as the clock winds down towards March 29, the date set for the UK’s departure.
At the weekend it emerged that efforts are under way to come up with a new way forward that could secure the support of a majority of MPs.
The initiative, aimed at breaking the political impasse, is being advanced by Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson.
It has won the support of prominent Remainers in the Tory party including
Sarah Wollaston, Dominic Grieve and Anna Soubry.
Mr Kyle says the idea, which is likely to be put forward as an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, is also being taken seriously by “people at a high level in government” as a potential way to resolve the Brexit crisis.
The amendment would offer all MPs the chance to support, or abstain on, the Withdrawal Bill and would specify that, if passed, the decision would be implemented on the condition it was put to the public for approval in another referendum.
If the amendment passed through Parliament but the deal was rejected in the subsequent referendum, the UK would stay in the EU under current arrangements.
If, however, the British people confirmed the decision of MPs to leave the EU under the terms of May’s deal, Brexit on these terms would immediately come into effect without any need for it to return to Parliament.
“The beauty of this plan is that it holds attractions for both Leavers and Remainers,” Mr Kyle told the Observer.
“For Leavers, if the deal is confirmed by the British people, it offers a definitive end to the withdrawal process with Brexit sealed once and for all.
“For Remainers, on the other hand, it offers the chance to make the case to stay in the EU to the public, based on facts not promises as before.”
“Remainers could vote for May’s deal, or abstain, even though they might not like it, in the knowledge that they could campaign against it later in the referendum.”
Cardiff North Labour MP Anna McMorrin, who has also been involved in the cross-party talks, said: “A number of us have been discussing ways to move things forward and break the deadlock that currently exists.
“There is no doubt that Theresa May’s strategy is to run down the clock until as close to March 29 as possible, hoping to scare those opposed to her deal to vote for it so that a cataclysmic no-deal Brexit is avoided.
“Of course, her deal is not a deal at all, as it leaves detailed negotiations on the future trading relationship between the UK and EU until after we have left.
“That’s why I and others refer to her proposal as Blind Brexit.”
Ms McMorrin said there were a number of potential routes forward being discussed, but the idea of a referendum giving the options of Mrs May’s deal and Remain was one that was getting traction on both sides of the House of Commons.
“The majority of MPs are against a no-deal Brexit and will not allow it to happen. But I see no reason why we should have to accept the poor deal that Mrs May is proposing as the lesser of two evils.
“As it gets closer to March 29, there are likely to be Cabinet resignations unless a better option is put forward.”
Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards, who has also been involved in the cross-party talks, said he was considering another alternative.
It would involve amending the Withdrawal Bill so that a referendum was held at the end of the transition period during which the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU is due to be negotiated.
Mr Edwards, the MP for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr, said: “My suggestion would be that the referendum would be held at a time when we had already left the EU.
“We would be in a position of knowing precisely what the future trading arrangements would be.
“In the mean time we would remain in the single market and the customs union – moves that would protect our economy and jobs as much as possible in the short term.
“My idea would, of course, require the agreement of the EU for it to work. In the meantime we would be out of the EU, but with the possibility of coming back on the same terms as we left, so long as the EU was agreeable.”
Mr Edwards said he would be consulting colleagues within Plaid and other parties before making a decision on whether to push forward with his proposal: “This is an unprecedented situation, and it’s important to discuss practical ideas in a non-partisan way,” he said. “The stakes are incredibly high.”
But Monmouth Conservative MP David Davies said the idea of a further referendum was “a constitutional outrage”, adding: “We have already had a people’s vote and the people made their decision.”