Weak May limps to a Brexit that will satisfy nobody...
COMMONS CLIMBDOWN TO STOP DEFEAT PM concedes on ‘meaningful vote’
urged: “Parliament, don’t stand against the people, implement their will.”
But former Chancellor Ken Clarke accused the “real zealots in this House” of trying “to stop this Parliament playing any part in the process, which is totally unacceptable”.
Labour Brexit splits also became apparent during the day.
Commons Brexit Committee chairman, MP Hilary Benn, said the meaningful vote bid was “the only opportunity to make it clear to the Government that we intend to have our say when the negotiations have been concluded”.
He added: “This is the one chance that we have to exercise the sovereignty that all of us believe properly rests with this House, whether we voted Leave or we voted Remain in the referendum.”
But backbencher Kate Hoey said people would “see that [the Lords amendment] is really about actually trying to go back on Brexit”.
High-profile Tory Remainer Anna Soubry highlighted abuse suffered by pro-EU MPs battling for a soft Brexit, revealing that six undercover police officers had to protect an unnamed MP on a public engagement.
Earlier, Justice Minister Dr Lee, who supported Mrs May’s 2016 Tory leadership bid, quit as he addressed the Bright Blue think-tank. She received his resignation letter just moments before her weekly Cabinet meeting.
Mrs May’s spokesman said: “His resignation is a matter for him. We thank him for his service.”
Explaining his decision, Dr Lee said in a 1,354-word statement: “If I am to look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them I cannot, in all good conscience, support how our country’s exit from the EU looks set to be delivered.”
He supported calls for the public to get a second referendum on the final EU deal “to seek their confirmation”.
Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “For Theresa May, this is a warning of things to come.
“The Tories are stumbling towards a disastrous Brexit that will damage our economy and place in the world. No one voted for this, and Theresa May has lost the ability to unite support behind her crumbling plans.”
A fresh series of Brexit Bill votes takes place today. The PM used yesterday’s 90-minute Cabinet meeting to warn ministers that “anything which undermines the Government at home would make negotiations with the EU more difficult”.
A Brexit Department spokeswoman said: “We have agreed to look for a compromise when this goes back to the Lords. The Brexit Secretary has set out three tests any new amendment has to meet – not undermining the negotiations, not changing the constitutional role of Government in negotiating international treaties, and respecting the referendum result.
“We have not, and will not, agree to the Commons binding the Government’s hands in the negotiations.”
THERESA May was forced into a climbdown yesterday as Tory rebels threatened to derail her Brexit Bill.
The Prime Minister’s senior ministers agreed to review plans for MPs to have a “meaningful vote” on the final deal the Government strikes with the EU.
The last-ditch concession meant she defeated a House of Lords amendment by 324 votes to 298.
But it triggers a race against time for Mrs May to find a new solution before the legislation returns to the Upper Chamber next week.The PM, who also lost Justice Minister and key ally Phillip Lee after he quit yesterday, fears caving in will allow Parliament to seize control of her Brexit strategy. Tory MP and former Attorney General Dominic Grieve had put forward a compromise amendment which could have given Parliament the power to prevent a “no deal” Brexit. Faced with a backbench revolt, Mrs May agreed it would form the basis for crucial talks before the Bill returns to the Lords.
The Government has not yet agreed to accept it completely but did enough to quash the rebellion.
Potential rebel Sarah Wollaston tweeted that she had been given “further assurances that further Govt amendments will come forward in the Lords”.
She added: “For avoidance of any doubt the promised further amendment in the Lords must closely reflect Dominic Grieve’s amendment.”
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: “This vote was about ensuring Parliament was given a proper role in the Brexit negotiations and that we avoid a no-deal situation, which is becoming more likely with the divisions at the heart of this Government.
“Facing the prospect of a humiliating defeat, Theresa May has been forced to negotiate with her backbenchers and offer a so-called concession.”
Chief Whip Julian Smith, Solicitor General Robert Buckland and Mr Grieve were locked in tense talks throughout the afternoon in Parliament.
Mr Smith was seen engaging in hushed conversations as he urged potential rebels to back the PM.
Ministers wanted to present a take-itor-leave-it deal and only make a statement to the Commons if MPs reject it. Brexiteers fear a climbdown would hand Parliament the power in Brexit negotiations. But Remainers insist it would prove Westminster had regained sovereignty following the 2016 EU referendum.
In a fiery six-hour debate, pro-Brexit Tory backbencher Sir Edward Leigh
Zealots are trying to stop Parliament playing any part in the process... it’s unacceptable KEN CLARKE PRO-REMAIN FORMER CHANCELLOR BEFORE COMMONS VOTE People will see this amendment is really about actually going back on Brexit KATE HOEY LABOUR BACKBENCHER CALLED FOR DEFEAT OF LORDS’ DEMAND