Taking no-deal off the table Tory MP’S alternative plan

Q Who is Nick Boles?

A Nick Boles was elected as an MP in 2010 and was a minister in two departments in David Cameron’s government between 2014 and 2016. He is campaigning against Britain cutting ties with the European Union after Brexit.

Q What is Mr Boles trying to do?

A His proposed Private Members’ Bill – the EU Withdrawal (Number 2) Bill – aims to put MPS in control of the Brexit process. It demands an extension to the Article 50 process to allow negotiations to continue beyond the planned exit on March 29.

Q Is this about Parliament taking back control over Brexit?

A Yes. Mr Boles had planned to let the cross-party Commons liaison committee of senior backbenchers draw up an alternative Brexit plan.

However, on Wednesday, Sarah Wollaston MP – chairman of the panel – indicated that it would not accept the role.

Mr Boles now says that his Bill will still go ahead with backing from MPS from three parties – the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Q Does the Government back his Bill?

A Not officially. But Mr Boles’s plan has the private support of senior MPS, Chancellor Philip Hammond told business leaders in a conference phone call leaked to The Daily

Telegraph yesterday.

Mr Boles said yesterday: “We have had indications that many ministers, including Cabinet ministers, are very, very keen to see it pass and are telling the Prime Minister that they will not vote against it.”

Q How will Mr Boles get his Bill through the House of Commons?

A Mr Boles will need to suspend the rules in Parliament so that he does not need government support to free up parliamentary time for it.

He could do this by amending the Government’s business motion, which is due to be published on Monday and then debated the following week. Mr Boles is hoping his Bill can be passed in a single day.