Cabinet remainers plot to seize control
Eighteen rebel ministers issue threat to walk out in bid to avoid No Deal
EIGHTEEN ministers – including members of the Cabinet – are ready to join a plot to snatch control of Brexit from the Prime Minister to avoid No Deal, it was claimed last night.
The frontbench rebels are threatening a mass walk-out unless Theresa May allows votes on alternatives to her deal, such as a ‘soft’ Brexit, a longer delay, or even reversing the process of leaving the EU.
They want Parliament to be given other options if her deal is rejected again by MPs so they can prevent a No Deal Brexit.
The group is planning to support an amendment on Monday, put forward by Labour’s Yvette Cooper, Tory Sir Oliver Letwin and others, that would seize control of the parliamentary timetable.
If passed, it would force Mrs May to stage ‘indicative’ votes on Wednesday that would be likely to give MPs the choice of a Norway-style Brexit, Labour’s customs union plan, a second referendum, No Deal, or revoking Article 50, the formal process for leaving the EU.
In addition the rebel ministers are considering a second backbench amendment, also due to be debated on Monday, that would demand that Mrs May seek a long extension to the Article 50 process of months or even years if her deal has not been passed. Last night, it was unclear how the new potential dates for Brexit thrashed out in Brussels might affect this.
One minister had said they and 17 ministerial colleagues, including several Cabinet members, were prepared to resign to ensure indicative votes take place next week. Asked about the identities of potential rebels, they pointed to the list of 15 ministers and aides who last week defied Mrs May by abstaining on a motion that took No Deal off the table.
Cabinet ministers Greg Clark, David Gauke, David Mundell, Amber Rudd and Claire Perry, seven junior ministers, and three ministerial aides were all allowed to keep their jobs despite breaking a Government three-line whip to vote against the motion.
One of the rebels last night said the ‘mood was grim’ in the group after the Prime Minister announced she would not allow a long delay to Brexit as they realised there might be ‘little time left’ for them to stop No Deal.
The minister said they were determined to stop a situation where Mrs May’s deal is defeated and the only remaining option is No Deal. They believe the amendment on Monday could be their final opportunity to do this.
They added: ‘If the Prime Minister decides to go for “my deal or No Deal” then, oh dear.’ A Cabinet source said: ‘The strategy the Prime Minister is pursuing is guaranteed to see the defeat of her own Brexit plans.’
An amendment proposing ‘indicative’ votes last week was defeated by 314 votes to 312, meaning just two MPs need to switch sides on Monday for it to pass. One of the MPs behind the plan said they were ‘very confident’ they now have the numbers.
David Lidington, Mrs May’s de facto deputy, previously suggested the Government would stage indicative votes.
But when Miss Cooper asked the Prime Minister to commit to this in the Commons on Wednesday, she appeared resistant. Mrs May said: ‘The House has had many opportunities actually. The House has rejected alternatives to the Government’s deal.’
The Cabinet is bitterly divided between the group of ministers opposed to No Deal, and a rival faction of Brexiteers who believe leaving the EU without an agree-
‘The mood is grim’
ment would be preferable to a long delay. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss yesterday said she now believes No Deal is ‘more likely’ than any other scenario.
Asked if she would rather have No Deal than an extension to Article 50, she replied: ‘God, yes. No extension. I do think it’s very unlikely now that we’re going into a long extension.’
And questioned whether Britain is ready for No Deal, she said: ‘Yes. I don’t believe the plague of locusts stuff.’