Scottish Daily Mail

MPs declare guerrilla war on No Deal

- By Jason Groves Political Editor

OPPONENTS of a no-deal Brexit will fire the first shot in a campaign of ‘guerrilla warfare’ against the Government today.

A cross-party group of MPs led by former Labour minister Yvette Cooper will attempt to restrict the Government’s tax powers in the event of a no-deal departure that isn’t approved by the Commons.

The backbench amendment to the Finance Bill, which would remove the Treasury’s special spending powers, is backed by a number of pro-Remain Tories, including ex-ministers Nicky Morgan, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles and health committee chairman Sarah Wollaston.

Sources close to Jeremy Corbyn suggested Labour would back the move, raising the prospect of a Government defeat this afternoon.

Supporters of the move claim it is the first step in an attempt to force a ‘shutdown’ should ministers try to pursue No Deal.

But Treasury sources last night said the impact of the amendment would be largely symbolic – and suggested ministers could even accept it rather than suffer another Commons defeat.

A source said: ‘We are pretty relaxed about it. It would stop us doing some little things to make the tax system work better, but it would be a minor thing compared to the overall consequenc­es of leaving without a deal.’

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a further amendment today which would prevent the Treasury collecting taxes in the event of a nointervie­w, deal Brexit, but it appears to lack the support needed to succeed.

However, senior Tories remain concerned they could face a series of Parliament­ary ambushes in the coming weeks if a no-deal Brexit becomes Government policy.

Business minister Richard Harrington last night told the BBC he would ‘definitely’ resign from the Government to oppose a nodeal Brexit.

Mr Boles has indicated that he and others could resign the Tory whip and vote with Labour to prevent No Deal.

And Mrs May will today meet with representa­tives from a cross-party group of more than 200 MPs who have called on Mrs May to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Miss Cooper claimed there was a danger that ‘brinkmansh­ip, political paralysis, siren voices’ could lead the UK over a Brexit ‘cliff-edge’.

She added: ‘The risks to our economy and security from no deal are far too high and it would be irresponsi­ble to allow it to happen.

‘I do not believe Parliament would support no deal and ministers should rule it out now.’

But Boris Johnson yesterday claimed that a no-deal Brexit was ‘closest to what people voted for’.

He added: ‘They didn’t vote for anything like Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement. They voted to come out.’

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