Category Archives: House of Commons

Theresa May defeated on Brexit again as ERG Tories abstain

Posted on by

PM defeated by 303 votes to 258, plunging hopes of uniting her party around renegotiated deal into chaos

Theresa May has suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of hardline Eurosceptics, plunging her hopes of uniting the Conservatives around a renegotiated Brexit deal into chaos.

The prime minister failed to win support for her EU strategy after the European Research Group (ERG), led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, abstained on a government motion because it appeared to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Continue reading...

Labour MPs warn Corbyn: back a second referendum or we quit

Posted on by

Labour leader struggling to balance conflicting forces in his party over Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn faces up to 10 resignations from the Labour frontbench if he fails to throw his party’s weight behind a fresh attempt to force Theresa May to submit her Brexit deal to a referendum in a fortnight’s time, frustrated MPs are warning.

With tension mounting among anti-Brexit Labour MPs and grassroots members, several junior shadow ministers have told the Guardian they are prepared to resign their posts if Corbyn doesn’t whip his MPs to vote for a pro-referendum amendment at the end of the month.

Continue reading...

May to ask MPs for further fortnight’s grace in Brexit talks

Posted on by

PM will stress her continued focus on Irish backstop but EU indicates it will not give way

Theresa May hopes to convince the House of Commons on Tuesday to give her another fortnight’s grace to keep pushing for changes to the Irish backstop – despite the insistence of Michel Barnier that it is Britain that must compromise.

With 45 days to go until Britain is due by law to leave the EU, with or without a deal, the prime minister will address MPs about progress in the Brexit talks, No 10 announced on Monday.

Continue reading...

Brexit: MPs will have another say by end of month, says minister

Posted on by

James Brokenshire says Commons will have chance to block no-deal departure

The government has sought to buy Theresa May more time to put together a workable Brexit deal by promising MPs another say by the end of the month, as business leaders said the process was now in the “emergency zone”.

The communities secretary, James Brokenshire, said that if no finalised deal were put to the Commons by 27 February, MPs would again be given an amendable motion to consider. This would give them the chance to block a no-deal departure or make other interventions.

Continue reading...

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay says no deal remains an option, despite MPs voting to reject it – Politics live

Posted on by

As Theresa May girds herself for renewed talks with the EU about changing the Irish backstop, follow all the news and reaction with our live blog

And Nathalie Loiseau, the French Europe minister, has said much the same thing. She said:

Brexit will take place in two months. Time is running out.

We are ready to talk about the future but now is the time to agree on the conditions of the separation.

This is from the Express’s Joe Barnes.

German foreign minister Heiko Maas on prospect of renegotiating Theresa May's #Brexit deal: 'The withdrawal agreement is the best and only solution for an orderly withdrawal.

'Germany and the entire Union are firmly on Ireland's side.'

Continue reading...

Brexit: No 10 hits out at MPs trying to delay article 50 to avert no deal

Posted on by

Downing Street says it is ‘extremely concerning’ MPs could attempt to override the government

Downing Street has said it is “extremely concerning” that MPs could attempt to override the government to suspend or delay the article 50 process to leave the EU in their effort to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

A slew of backbench amendments are expected to be attached to the prime minister’s statement on Monday on the way forward for the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Continue reading...

Brexit vote: Jeremy Corbyn tables no-confidence motion after May defeat – Politics live

Posted on by

Prime minister’s Brexit deal is lost by 432 votes to 202

Earlier tonight, thousands of people in favour of a second referendum marched on Parliament Square, where they watching the thumping defeat of Theresa May’s deal broadcast on large screens.

Related: People's vote supporters revel in defeat of May's Brexit deal

The former Maryland congressman John Delaney has become the first 2020 presidential candidate to weigh in on Theresa May’s resounding Brexit defeat in parliament on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Guardian, Delaney, a former businessman and centrist Democrat mounting a dark horse bid for the White House in 2020, said: “The truth is Brexit was never honestly sold to voters, which is why the UK finds itself in such a difficult position right now.

Related: John Delaney becomes first 2020 candidate to weigh in on Brexit

Continue reading...

Theresa May loses grip on Brexit deal after fresh Commons humiliation

Posted on by

Amendments mean PM would have with little room to move if Brexit deal rejected next week

Theresa May’s room for manoeuvre should her Brexit deal be rejected next week was further constrained on Wednesday night, after the government lost a second dramatic parliamentary showdown in as many days.

An increasingly boxed-in prime minister must now set out her plan B within three working days of a defeat next Tuesday, after the rebel amendment passed.

Continue reading...

MPs raise safety fears with police after Anna Soubry subjected to ‘Nazi’ taunts

Posted on by

Letter to Met police comes after Speaker expresses concern about protesters targeting MPs outside parliament

Dozens of MPs have written to the UK’s most senior police officer to raise concerns about safety outside parliament after the Conservative MP Anna Soubry faced chants from protesters on Monday calling her a “Nazi”.

At least 55 parliamentarians signed the letter to the Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, after the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, urged officers to do more to protect MPs and Soubry criticised the lack of police response to the abuse.

Continue reading...