PM’ s veiled warning to the Remainers
Ministers deal with fall-out from leaks
Theresa May sent a veiled warning to any Tory Remainers preparing to disrupt the next major piece of Brexit legislation, as ministers deal with the fall-out from leaked immigration documents.
Ahead of the debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill, she called on MPs to work toward the “shared aim” of a smooth Brexit.
THERESA MAY last night sent a veiled warning to any disgruntled Tory Remainers preparing to disrupt the next major piece of Brexit legislation, as ministers deal with the fall-out from leaked immigration documents.
Speaking ahead of the first day of debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill, the Prime Minister has called on MPs “from across” the political spectrum to work toward the “shared aim” of a smooth Brexit.
The message, which the Secretary of State David Davis is expected to repeat when he addresses the Commons tomorrow, is undoubtedly a challenge to Labour politicians who have indicated they will oppose the Bill.
But it will also be read as a threat to potential Tory rebels, after MPs expressed concern about a Government “power grab”.
The intervention comes amid a backlash against a leaked Home Office document containing draft plans for future immigration policy. The papers include proposals for the immediate tightening of border controls for EU nationals and greater restrictions on the number of low-skilled workers allowed to remain in the UK.
These plans appear to contradict the position adopted by the Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who have argued for a gradual transition to any new arrangements in order to minimise disruption to businesses.
Representatives from across the business community expressed concern about the documents yesterday, with the Institute of Directors and National Farmers’ Union among those urging a more moderate response.
The SNP leader Nicola Stur- geon, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas and Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also hit out at the proposals, with the latter warning it would be “catastrophic” for the capital’s economy.
Downing Street refused to comment on the leaked papers, but pressed for her views on immigration during yesterday’s PMQs. Mrs May stressed the need for greater controls and blamed current migration rates for “depressing wages”.
The PM was also quizzed about the implications of the EU Withdrawal Bill, with the pro-EU Conservative MP Anna Soubry calling for assurances it will not lead to an “unprecedented and unnecessary Government power grab”.
The Bill is designed to transfer EU legislation into UK law to provide legal continuity after Brexit, but it contains clauses which would enable the Government to make further reforms without consulting Parliament.
Labour has stated it will not support the Bill and Mrs May’s reduced majority means only a few Tory MPs would need to rebel for the Government to be defeated.
In a loaded statement issued tonight, Mrs May – who is expected to sit in on today’s debate – said: “The Repeal Bill helps deliver the outcome the British people voted... We’ve made time for proper parliamentary scrutiny of Brexit legislation, and I look forward to the contributions of MPs from across the House.
“But that contribution should fit with our shared aim: to help get the best Brexit for Britain.”
I look forward to contributions of MPs from across the House. Prime Minister Theresa May, in a statement.
IT WOULD be churlish not to acknowledge the progress that Rotherham Council continues to make after the borough’s reputation was so besmirched by the child sex grooming scandal. The latest raft of reports offer encouragement offering a level of transparency which remains essential to the authority regaining, and retaining, the trust of residents and, more importantly, the abuse victims betrayed by a pernicious culture of political correctness.
That said, there will be deep unease that procedures were so lackadaisical that child abuse files were likely to have been stolen from a council office in 2002 and that “no culpable behaviour” has been found which could justify “legal action or regulatory involvement” against senior officials at the time. The almost blasé conclusion – “it was more cock-up than conspiracy” – does not do sufficient justice to one of the biggest controversies in local government history after it emerged that 1,400 victims were abused over a 16-year period – largely by men of a Pakistani-heritage background.
As for the crassly insensitive phraseology, used in this context, that in itself is unforgivable.
Yet, while these reports identify lessons for every safeguarding body in the country, it also highlights the issue of public accountability and the importance of electing councillors who genuinely care, stand up for their constituents and pose the questions that were not asked at the time. Town halls are only as good as their public representatives.
And then there is the issue of race. While it’s paramount that the likes of Rotherham MP Sarah Champion continue to be brave and use challenging language that gets to the root of these problems, there will, nevertheless, be others who will use this sorry saga to stoke racehate divisions. That cannot be allowed to happen – the over-riding priority remains the need to ensure victims receive sufficient support as they face up to a lifetime of torment because their cries for help went unheard until relatively recently.