Corbyn ready to push vote of no confidence in Government ‘soon’
Prime Minister makes last-ditch plea for her Brexit deal ahead of showdown
THERESA MAY faces a vote of no confidence in her Government “soon”, Jeremy Corbyn has warned, as the Prime Minister issued a last ditch plea to MPs to back her Brexit deal or risk staying in the European Union.
The Labour leader said people should “see what happens” tomorrow, when Mrs May’s controversial Withdrawal Agreement is put to a vote in the Commons, but said his party would table a confidence motion “at a time of our choosing”.
Mr Corbyn said: “We will table a motion of no confidence in the Government at a time of our choosing, but it’s going to be soon, don’t worry about it.”
It came after the Prime Minister warned of a “catastrophic and unforgivable” breach of trust in democracy if her exit plan is defeated and the UK remains in the EU. Last night, with just hours to go before the Commons vote on her Withdrawal Agreement, the Prime Minister pleaded with parliamentarians to “do what is right for our country” and back her deal.
While Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said there had been “some movement” from MPs to support the agreement, which is widely expected to be defeated, he said he thought that if it fell the Commons would eventually support something “along the lines of this deal”.
And he warned of a “growing risk” that Parliament could frustrate Brexit, following reports of a plot to change Commons rules to enable backbench motions to take precedence over Government business if Mrs May’s deal falls.
Downing Street said it was “extremely concerned” about the plans, reported in the Sunday Times, which could threaten Brexit legislation and the Government’s ability to govern.
Mr Barclay told Marr: “What
recent events have shown, with events over the last week with what happened on the legal advice where the Government was forced to act in a way it didn’t want to, is the uncertainty in terms of what will happen in the House has increased.
“So those on the Brexiteer side seeking ideological purity with a deal are risking Brexit, because there is a growing risk that events could unfold in ways that (mean) they are leaving the door ajar to ways that increase the risk to Brexit.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said it would be “outrageous and unforgivable” if a no-deal Brexit was allowed to happen, adding: “I think Parliament will take control of this process, will insist that we pursue the option of no Brexit.”
Sir Vince said this could happen by cancelling Article 50 – which he noted would be “resented by lots of people” – or via a second referendum.
Mr Corbyn hinted that Article 50 may have to be extended if his party came into power. He said: “Clearly if Theresa May’s deal is voted down, clearly if a general election takes place and a Labour government comes in – an election would take place February, March time – clearly there’s only a few weeks between that and the leave date, there would have to be time for those negotiations.”
Writing in the Sunday Express, Mrs May said: “You, the British people, voted to leave. And then, in the 2017 General Election, 80 per cent of you voted for MPs who stood on manifestos to respect that referendum result. You have delivered your instructions. Now it is our turn to deliver for you.
“When you turned out to vote in the referendum, you did so because you wanted your voice to be heard. Some of you put your trust in the political process for the first time in decades. We cannot – and must not – let you down.
“Doing so would be a catastrophic and unforgivable breach of trust in our democracy. So my message to Parliament this weekend is simple: It is time to forget the games and do what is right for our country.”
As speculation mounted Mrs May’s deal would be defeated, it emerged 14 military planners have been deployed to four key Whitehall departments to assist with no-deal planning, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Observer.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling insisted the Government has put forward a “sensible compromise deal” before denying troops were being sought to help with no-deal traffic. He said he talks to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson “quite regularly” about no-deal Brexit planning.