Remainer MPs DROP attempt to force through a ‘People’s Vote’
The second referendum is off (for now): Remainer MPs DROP attempt to force through a ‘People’s Vote’ and blame Corbyn for killing their chances of winning
- Sarah Wollaston announced she will not table a second referendum amendment
- Comes after a major row over pro EU MPs over whether or not to table the push
- Labour MP Luciana Berger lashed Jeremy Corbyn for refusing to back a vote
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Remainer MPs today dropped their bid to force a parliamentary vote demanding a second referendum – admitting they do not have enough support to back it.
The gang of Labour and Tory MPs who were backing a so-called People’s Vote blasted Jeremy Corbyn for killing off their chances of winning.
Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston had planned to table the ‘doctor’s amendment’ to next Tuesday’s crunch Brexit motion to demand a second referendum.
But stood outside Parliament this morning flanked by pro-EU Labour MPs Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna, she announced a U-turn.
Remainer MPs today dropped their bid to force a parliamentary vote demanding a second referendum – admitting they do not have enough support to back it (pictured, left to right, Luciana Berger,Sarah Wollaston and Chuka Umunna)
With just 64 days to go until Brexit, the stage is set for MPs to hold a series of crucial votes on Britain’s departure which could delay or stop it altogether
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The shock moves comes after a massive row among Remainer MPs over when to finally show their hand a call a Commons vote on another referendum.
What is Tuesday’s Plan B vote and what will it mean?
What is happening?
Because Theresa May’s Brexit deal was defeated, the law says she must tell Parliament what her Plan B is.
This has to be done in a motion to the Commons, which will be voted on by MPs next Tuesday night.
That motion can be re-written by MPs if they table amendments and win a vote in favour of them.
Some amendments have already been tabled and MPs can keep producing them until Monday night.
What does May’s plan say?
It promises more cross-party working, renews commitments to protecting workers’ rights after Brexit and says the PM will ask Brussels for more concessions on the backstop.
It it based on the current deal that was crushed by 230 votes last week.
What do the main amendments say?
Jeremy Corbyn’s amendment says Parliament should vote on ‘options’ including a renegotiation of the deal to get a permanent customs union and for a second referendum.
A cross party amendment from Yvette Cooper and Nicky Morgan seeks to block no deal by giving time to a draft law that would require the Government to delay Brexit if a deal has not been agreed by February 26. It upturns normal convention by putting a backbench MP’s Bill ahead of Government plans.
An amendment from Tory rebel Dominic Grieve seeks to set up weekly debates that would mean regular votes on what to do in the absence a deal. His amendments sets aside six named days for the debates – including as late as March 26.
What would the vote do?
Legally nothing – but if the Commons votes in favour of a clear way forward by a majority it will be a major political signal of what might happen.
Is it a new ‘meaningful vote’ that can approve May’s deal?
No. At some point, the PM will have to stage a repeat of last week’s vote to get explicit approval from MPs to go ahead with her deal if she wants it to survive.
Dr Wollaston said: ‘It is with great regret we will not be laying that amendment, because at this stage and until we have the leader of the Opposition’s backing, it would not pass.’
Ms Berger blasted her party leader for refusing to back another referendum – and accused him of ignoring the overwhelming wishes of his own members.
She said: ‘As things stand we have just 30 sitting days of parliament until we are due to exit the European Union.
‘There is no consensus across the House of Commons, and there is an urgent need for leadership.
‘We have seen he worst parliamentary defeat of any government, but the Prime Minister insists on pursuing a dud deal which cannot command the majority support of MPs in the House of Commons.’
Lashing Mr Corbyn, she said: ‘Regrettably, the Labour leadership won’t commit to an achievable policy, and yet we know that the majority of Labour voters, supporters and members, want a final say on any Brexit deal.
‘And yet, at a time when Labour should be championing a Peoples’ Vote, the leadership avoids answering that call.
‘Because the Labour leadership and frontbench won’t back a People’s Vote, there will not be a vote on a cross-party People’s Vote amendment next week.
‘This is not good enough. Labour should be clearly setting out a different course – not facilitating a jobs destroying Brexit.’
MPs are gearing up to vote on a series of crucial amendments on Brexit in a crunch Commons showdown next Tuesday.
It comes after Theresa May’s original deal was rejected by 432 votes to 202 – the biggest defeat ever inflicted on a British PM.
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable has tabled an amendment calling for another referendum – meaning a vote on the issue could still be called.
But Dr Wollaston’s announcement shows that the cross-party Remainer push for a second referendum vote to be held next Tuesday has been ditched.
Labour is deeply split over Brexit and whether to hold another vote – with Mr Corbyn resisting demands from his backbenchers to support one.
The Labour leader – a longtime Eurosceptic – fears that another referendum would lead to voters in the party’s northern heartlands to abandon the party.
Theresa May (pictured in the Commons yesterday) is braced for a possible series of defeats next Tuesday as MPs push their own Brexit visions in a series of votes
A string of MPs have tabled their own amendments which they hope will be voted on next Tuesday as they try to seize control of the Brexit talks and push for major changes
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