Political crisis deepens with LABOUR & TORIES UNITE TO STOP BREXIT Corbyn’s plan to revoke Article 50
Six-month work rule
ASYLUM seekers could be allowed to work after six months here.
A cross-party group is tabling an amendment to the Immigration Bill, which comes before the Commons on Wednesday.
It will have the support of Labour, the SNP and Lib Dems, plus some Tories – including former Cabinet ministers Nicky Morgan and Caroline Spelman.
Stephen Hale, of Refugee Action, said: “We are very optimistic. Giving people seeking asylum the right to work, earn a living and rebuild their lives is long overdue.”
Lib Dem Christine Jardine added: “Being denied the right to work is cruel and undignified.”
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has also signalled he is sympathetic.
But MPS want him to go further than just let asylum seekers take jobs on the shortage occupations list – which includes positions like ballet dancers and geophysicists. Under the present system people seeking asylum are only allowed to work if they have waited more than 12 months for a decision on their claim. The Home Office aims to process claims within six months but 48 per cent
go beyond. LABOUR is prepared to unite with Tory Remainers to sabotage Brexit.
And a highly- placed No10 source said: “No Brexit is now more likely than No Deal.”
Theresa May is pinning her hopes on an 11th-hour promise from the EU tomorrow that the controversial Irish backstop will only be temporary.
But as the EU assurance will not be legally binding the PM faces certain defeat when her withdrawal deal comes before the Commons for Tuesday’s vote.
Tory Brexiteers predict she will lose by more than 200, while No10 is praying the rebellion can be kept to double figures.
Jeremy Corbyn hopes to force a General Election by winning a no-confidence vote in the Government.
But Tory loyalists, rebels and the DUP will bury their differences to see the Labour leader off. Mrs May told the Sunday Express: “I face a Labour leader more concerned with playing politics than acting in the best interests of our country. He wants to recklessly sow the seeds of division in a bid to boost his own career.”
Plan B for Mr Corbyn is to stop the nightmare of No Deal which would be the consequence of MPS consigning May’s EU contract to the shredder.
That means forming a united front with Tory Remainers, the SNP and Lib Dems to revoke Article 50, which takes us out of the EU on March 29.
The Parliamentary process for scrapping it is opaque, but both Tory and Labour high commands believe it is achievable. A Labour source said: “That is the direction this is now heading in.”
One Tory added: “MPS now have just 48 hours to save Brexit.”
The EU says the deal on the table is the only one on offer. And its leaders would be delighted if the UK ditched Brexit.
A senior Whitehall source said: “All the EU has to do is sit on its hands while we tear ourselves apart.”
Even if Mrs May miraculously won the vote, Article 50 might still have to be postponed.
There are doubts if six essential pieces of Brexit legislation and 300 smaller changes can be railroaded through Parliament in the 75 days left before we leave. MPS have been warned by No10 that if they try to hold Bills up, the Commons will sit seven days a week and they will lose next month’s half-term holiday. A No10 source said: “We will do all it takes to get legislation through in time.”