Brexit hardliners could even force an election just to stop May deal
BREXITEER hardliners could try to collapse the Government rather than vote again for Theresa May’s deal, it emerged last night.
Senior figures in the European Research Group have discussed voting against Mrs May in a confidence vote – potentially forcing a general election – to try to force a No Deal Brexit.
If the sitting Government loses a confidence vote, two weeks would be set aside to form a new government – leaving No Deal to happen by default as there would be no time to stop it.
But this would require Labour MPs to back a no confidence motion, knowing it would result in No Deal. Yesterday one MP, Sir Christopher Chope, said he and others who felt ‘betrayed’ would ‘seriously consider’ such a move. It sparked a furious backlash from fellow Tories who called him ‘selfish and self-indulgent’.
The Mail also understands the idea was raised by ERG deputy chairman Steve Baker at a meeting yesterday – although he said he would never vote against the Government in a confidence motion. One source said a handful of Eurosceptics would back the move – including those who are planning to retire at the next election – and up to 20 others could abstain.
Sir Christopher, who came under fire for blocking laws against taking illicit photographs up women’s skirts and on combating female genital mutilation, was slammed by his own side. Tory MP Simon Hart told the Mail: ‘It is an absurdly selfish and self indulgent threat to make, and deserves contempt.’
Sir Christopher’s inflammatory comments came during yesterday’s dramatic Brexit debate in the House of Commons. He said: ‘I
expressed no confidence in the Prime Minister when we had a vote in our Parliamentary Party. In my considered opinion, were a similar vote to be held now, there would be an overwhelming vote of no confidence in her.’
He added: ‘Think of the logical extension to that. I’m not going to make any promises now but obviously it would need the Leader of the Opposition to initiate such a move. I think people on this side who feel they are being betrayed will actually look carefully at the implications flowing from that.’
Another arch-Brexiteer, Andrew Bridgen also suggested there could be an election in short order yesterday. He told Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I’m afraid I can’t see this Parliament staggering on for a great deal longer – if we carry on with nights like last night, then we will all be weighed in the balance by our own electorate. And maybe that’s where we’ve got to go.’
ERG deputy chairman Mark Francois also insisted he would not back Mrs May’s deal if it comes back next week. He told Sky News: ‘I’m not going to bank a lose. I was in the Army, I wasn’t trained to lose.’