theresa May will not compromise with senior Conservative MPs that plan to 'wreck' the article 50 bill by supporting amendments proposed by Labour and SNP. After the Brexit white paper was published last Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May will stand firm on her Brexit plans despite pressures from within her party.
Dozens of potential Tory rebels
Downing Street is feeling confident heading into this week's vote to trigger article 50. However, dozens of Conservative MPs are rumoured to be considering joining forces with Labour rebels, SNP and the Liberal Democrats to vote fro amendments to prolong the parliamentary process.
A group of cross-party MPs are demanding:
- Protection for EU citizens currently living in the United Kingdom and British citizens currently living in the European Union outside of Britain.
- Trade reassurances.
- A guarantee that parliament gets to vote on the final Brexit package before it is signed by the European Union.
Pro-leave members of the House of Commons believe that such factors would harm Theresa May's negotiating hand.The government has pledged that it wont back any amendments to the bill and, given the lack of support for amendments, probably wont have to add any. Last Wednesday, Theresa May won the first vote on the article 50 by almost 400 votes. The chances of any amendments being added would are incredibly unlikely and would require a huge swing.
An anonymous Labour MP told The Telegraph: 'Pro-Brexit supporters in the opposition will most likely cancel any Tories who vote for the amendments. I struggle to see any way in which amendments are added to the bill at this stage. I simply don't think that there will be enough support'.
Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP, stated that Parliament must be able to stop a 'cliff-edge' Brexit.
Carmichael said: 'Parliament must have the final say when we get to the end of negotiations. It is crucial Parliament gets a vote on the matter. The Prime Minister said she would rather have 'no deal than a bad deal'. At this time, MPs have no vote on this potential eventuality'.
