Remain-backing MPs from across Britain’s main parties are drawing up plans to block the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, it has been revealed.
The cross-party group — which includes prominent Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, and Green MPs — seek to give Parliament the power to stop the UK leaving talks with Brussels without a deal, according to The Guardian, despite barely more than one in four Britons believing that “any deal is better than no deal”.
An amendment to the Brexit bill tabled by Tory former cabinet minister Dominic Grieve would decree that any final deal has to be approved by Parliament, giving MPs — most of whom supported Remain during the European Union (EU) referendum campaign last year — the power to reject any agreement struck with Brussels by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Tabled by Europhile former Tory Chancellor Ken Clarke, and former Labour minister Chris Leslie, another amendment proposes that a two-year “transition” period — during which the UK would stay shackled to Brussels — which was suggested by the prime minister during a speech in Florence, be written into law.
If passed, the amendment would block Britain from leaving Europe if a period where the country remains subject to EU rules and laws was not agreed.
Labour MP Stephen Doughty, who The Guardian reported is a key player in behind-the-scenes cross-party talks to sabotage Britain’s exit from Europe, said it is vital that ‘soft Brexit’-backing MPs band together to “put safeguards in place” to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
“It is clear the prime minister and Brexit secretary now have a real crisis on their hands over this bill and face defeat on a series of issues,” he told the newspaper.
Alarm rose among anti-Brexit MPs soared after May revealed the government will spend £250 million preparing for a “no deal” withdrawal from the bloc, as negotiations with Brussels have stalled to a state of “deadlock”, with EU representatives refusing to advance talks unless the UK agrees to pay a hefty divorce bill first.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell vowed Parliament would stop Britain leaving Europe without first negotiating a deal.
“No deal is not an option,” he told the BBC journalist, adding: “There are enough sensible people in the House of Commons to stop this happening.”
On Thursday, Breitbart London reported a Sky Data survey which revealed that three in four Britons would rather see a no-deal Brexit than have the UK accept a deal that is not in the nation’s best interest.
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