A collection of MPs is planning on prevent Theresa May and her government from attempting to pursue a hard Brexit after concerns British businesses may face tariffs on their goods and services. The cross-party group of MPs include Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Conservative MPs.
No mandate
The cross-party group of MPs clam that Theresa May has no mandate to pursue a hard Brexit that she outlined in her speech last Tuesday. In addition to the news of a cross-party group of MPs, 43 Labour MPs disillusioned with Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to take a hard line on Brexit have sent a letter to the prime minster Theresa May urging her to deliver a soft Brexit.
In a statement released, MPs say that Theresa May has no remit to sail the United Kingdom's economy on the rocks. Although MPs aren't likely to vote against triggering Article 50, they are looking to prevent a hard Brexit that will put the United Kingdom at risk.
The MPs told May that implementing WTO tariffs would be devastating to the economy. "These would include 10 per cent on cars, 12 per cent on clothing and 40 per cent on lamb. Manufacturers face being priced out of their most important market. Businesses large and small would fail. Working people who voted to leave the EU will pay the price," said a letter written to Theresa May.
Cross-party resistance
Caroline Lucas, the only Green Party MP in parliament, said: "It's important that we prevent the prime minster from yanking us out of the single market and custom union, a move that would damage the country.
The PM has no mandate to sacrifice our economy". An SNP spokesperson said that: "The prime minster has shown little regard for Scotland's voice. As a nation, we voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union but that doesn't seem to matter to the prime minster".
Theresa May will learn on Tuesday whether a vote on Article 50 will have to go through parliament. Later in the week, the prime minster will travel to the United States to meet with the new president Donald Trump.
