Prime Minister admits that UK would be poorer without EU nationals
THERESA MAY admitted the UK would be poorer without European Union nationals as she tried to fight off bids to amend her Brexit bill to guarantee they can stay.
The Prime Minister told the Commons she could make no promises without a deal for UK citizens living in EU countries.
On the first of three days of detailed scrutiny in the Commons, she also told MPs they would be obstructing the will of the people if they amended the bill. Her comments came amid warnings she could face a sizeable rebellion on her own benches.
Conservative sources said Mrs May would leave her party’s prestigious Black and White ball, its formerly glitzy annual fundraiser, if necessary, to vote.
No 10 had earlier signalled the Government did not intend to accept any amendments to what ministers insist is a “straightforward” bill.
The SNP accused Mrs May of using EU nationals as “bargaining chips” and of “airburshing” out Scotland’s priorities during an informal summit of European leaders in Malta last week.
Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman has tabled an amendment that would require ministers to guarantee the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK after Brexit before starting exit talks.
Former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke predicted such a move would force the hand of other countries.
“No one is going to take any reprisals against our British nationals,” he said.
Another senior Conservative Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, warned the Prime Minister there was a “good deal of evidence” the failure to guarantee the rights of EU nationals was beginning to damage the economy.
But Tory Alberto Costa, MP for Souith Leicestershire but who grew up in Glasgow the son of Italian immigrants, said he was putting his “entire trust” in the Prime Minister on the issue.
Earlier, Mrs May had told MPs that without EU citizens “we would be poorer and our public services weaker”.
SNP MP Stephen Gethins said voters deserved “answers” on key questions before divorce talks could start.
MPs have tabled 146 pages worth of amendments to the bill, with the SNP alone proposing 50 amendments.
The Brexit bill is expected to clear its last Commons hurdle tomorrow and then move to the House of Lords.