MPs join up against hard EU departure

A CROSS-party group to co-ordinate the parliamentary fight against a “hard Brexit” has been set up under the leadership of Tory former minister Anna Soubry and senior Labour MP Chuka Umunna.

The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on EU relations could cause difficulties for Theresa May as she attempts to steer Brexit legislation through the Commons, relying on the support of the Democratic Unionist Party.

As well as working together in Parliament, the APPG will collect evidence from business groups, trade unions and charities about their views on Brexit.

The MPs in the group believe Parliament cannot be “spectators” accepting information from ministers, but should instead be “active players” in the Brexit process, independently seeking out information to inform voting decisions on the deal eventually negotiated.

Mr Umunna, who led a Labour revolt over Brexit last month by calling for the UK to stay in the single market, and prominent Remain campaigner Ms Soubry are the group’s co-chairmen.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson, the SNP’s international affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas and Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards are vice-chairmen.

The formation of the APPG follows weeks of private conversations between MPs and they will work with pro-European pressure groups Open Britain, Vote Leave Watch, Best for Britain, British Influence and the European Movement.