Brexit’s fate to be decided by an X Factor-style run-off of Commons votes between PM’s deal, soft Brexit and a second referendum
BREXIT’S fate will now be decided by an extraordinary X Factor-style run-off of votes next week – between Theresa May’s deal, a soft Brexit and a second referendum. Instead of dumping her EU agreement, No10 revealed the PM will instead try to bring it back a FOURTH time next week. But that can only now […]
BREXIT’S fate will now be decided by an extraordinary X Factor-style run-off of votes next week – between Theresa May’s deal, a soft Brexit and a second referendum.
Instead of dumping her EU agreement, No10 revealed the PM will instead try to bring it back a FOURTH time next week.
But that can only now happen after a new round of indicative votes for a range of alternative routes out of Parliament’s humiliating crisis.
Rebels MPs will again commandeer Parliament’s time on Monday for a second round of voting after last Wednesday’s attempt ended in failure with none of the eight options winning a majority.
But this time, Speaker John Bercow is expected to rule out the options with that attracted the lowest number of votes, such as a No Deal Brexit – most likely leaving the choice between a customs union with the EU, Norway-style EEA membership and a second referendum.
Mrs May is expected to wait until the options are narrowed down to just one, when she will then pit her divorce deal against it.
A senior No10 source said: “Monday will be an opportunity to set some direction.
“The PM’s deal got 286 votes today, which was more than anything else did on Wednesday.
“So let’s see what happens.”
Another option being looked at by No10 is Mrs May getting Parliament’s green light for her deal by immediately introducing the law needed to enshrine it – the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – which would get round Speaker John Bercow’s ban on putting it to the Commons again in the same way.
HIGH RISK
But embattled Mrs May faces being ripped apart by rival factions within her own Government if her final gamble for a fourth vote on her deal next week fails.
And she was already facing a serious new rebellion from 170 Brexit-backing Tory ministers and MPs.
The Sun can reveal a letter was delivered to her in No10 signed by 170 Tory MPs – more than half their whole number – demanding the UK leaves the EU within the next few months, no matter what.
The letter insists the PM must uphold the Tories’ manifesto commitments on Brexit, meaning there must be no long exit delay and no EU elections fought.
In a serious challenge to her authority, it was also signed by 10 Cabinet ministers and 20 other members of her Government.
Cabinet Ministers from Sajid Javid to Jeremy Hunt are among those believed to have signed the letter.
A source close to the signatories: “The letter reaffirmed our commitment to the manifesto, and to the PMs own determination to seek a short extension to article 50 that avoids the EU elections.”
One Brexiteer minister who signed it told The Sun: “Two thirds of the parliamentary party have sent the PM a very clear message. We want to leave the EU on April 12 or very soon afterwards.
“The nuclear option that she must now consider is to bring back her deal, with a confidence motion attached to it.
“If it is voted down again, then we will vote to dissolve Parliament and have a general election.”
AGONISING SAGA RUMBLES ON
Meanwhile, Remain Cabinet ministers are insisting she shifts to a softer Brexit and accepts whatever the outcome of the indicative votes are, including if it’s a customs union.
Former Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell said: “There will be a result on Monday, and the Government must honour that”.
Mrs May was driven straight to her Berkshire constituency home in the village of Sonning after the vote.
But she is expected to hold a conference call with the Cabinet over the weekend to plan a way forward.
Intense horse trading erupted between political parties over what options to back on Monday, with frantic talks being planned.
In a surprise development, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds suggested his 10 MPs could now be prepared to support a softer Brexit option.
Mr Dodds tee’d up an extraordinary pivot away from his previous alliance with hardline Tories by telling Newsnight: Mr Dodds added: “For us we want to make sure no internal trade barriers created customs and single market, so we will look at any options.
“I would stay in the European Union and remain rather than risk Northern Ireland’s position. That’s how strongly I feel about the union”.
The SNP also declared they would be holding talks with rebel Tories to decide whether to throw their 35 MPs behind their plan for Norway-style membership of EFTA –which they dub Commons Market 2.0.
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Jeremy Corbyn also insisted Mrs May bow to Parliament’s will next week – or call a general election.
Minutes after the bombshell vote, the Labour leader told MPs: “The House has been clear, this deal now has to change. There has to be an alternative found.
“And if the Prime Minister can’t accept that then she must go, not at an indeterminate date in the future but now”.
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