Brexit: Ministers plead with MPs to back Theresa May's deal
2019-01-13 19:21:36
The government has made a fresh plea to MPs to get behind Theresa May's Brexit deal in Tuesday's crucial Commons vote.
A group of MPs are understood to be planning to take control of the Brexit process if, as widely expected, Mrs May's deal is voted down.
And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to table a vote of no confidence in the government if she loses, which could trigger a general election.
The PM has warned of a "catastrophic" breach of trust if Brexit is thwarted.
Writing in the Sunday Express, Mrs May told MPs: "It is time to forget the games and do what is right for our country."
Call for clarity on UK-Swiss Brexit dealI'm confused... what's happening with Brexit?Can Parliament stop a no-deal Brexit?Brexit: A really simple guideWhat is likely to happen next:
Monday - Day four of MPs' Brexit debateTuesday - Day five of debate followed by "meaningful vote" on the PM's deal. MPs will also get to vote on amendments that could reshape the dealIf the deal is rejected Theresa May will get three working days to come up with a "plan B"Wednesday - Mrs May is likely to head to Brussels to try get further concessions from the EUMonday, 22 January - Commons vote on "Plan B" - MPs are reported to be planning to amend this vote to wrest control of Brexit from the governmentFriday, March 29 - the UK leaves the EU, unless MPs have succeeded in delaying or cancelling itBrexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "There are lots of different plans being put forward by Members of Parliament that don't respect the result (of the referendum) or risk no deal."
Pressed on what happens if the deal is defeated, Mr Barclay said he suspected the Commons would support something "along the lines of this deal" but declined to speculate on whether the government had a Brexit "plan B".
Mr Corbyn said Labour would vote against Mrs May's deal and if she lost would start moves to trigger a general election.
He told the Andrew Marr show: "We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing, but it's going to be soon, don't worry about it."
The Labour leader has said his party does not have the votes in Parliament to win a confidence vote on its own and has appealed to other parties to support it.
Northern Ireland's DUP party, which keeps Mrs May in power, is also planning to vote against her deal but has said it will support Mrs May in a confidence vote.
If a majority of MPs back a no confidence motion, the government - or anyone else who can command a majority - will get 14 days to try to win another confidence vote. If no-one can't do that, a general election will be held.
Mr Corbyn is facing growing calls from within his own party to back a second EU referendum.
He told Andrew Marr he hoped to get a general election first - and ensure that the UK did not leave without a deal.
"My own view is that I'd rather get a negotiated deal now, if we can, to stop the danger of a no-deal exit from the EU on 29 March - which would be catastrophic for industry."
Quick guide: What is a no-deal Brexit?A "no-deal" Brexit is where the UK would cut all ties with the European Union overnight.
Theresa May's government, and many others, believe this would be hugely damaging and want a more gradual withdrawal. But if Parliament can't agree on that, and nothing else takes its place, the UK will leave without a deal.
This would mean the UK would not have to obey EU rules. Instead, it would need to follow World Trade Organization terms on trade. Many businesses would see new taxes on imports, exports and services, which are likely to increase their operating costs. That means the prices of some goods in UK shops could go up.
The UK would also lose the trade agreements it had with other countries as a member of the EU, all of which would need to be renegotiated alongside the new agreement with the EU itself.
Manufacturers in the UK expect to face delays in components coming across the border.
The UK would be free to set its own immigration controls. However some UK professionals working in the EU and UK expats could face uncertainty until their status was clarified. The European Commission has said that even in a no-deal scenario, UK travellers won't need a visa for short visits of up to 90 days.
The border between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic would become an external frontier for the EU with customs and immigration controls, though how and where any checks would be made is not clear.
Some Leave supporters think that leaving without a deal would be positive if the right preparations were made. They say criticism is scaremongering and any short term pain would be for long term gain.
But critics - including both Brexit supporters and opponents - say that leaving without a deal would be a disaster for the UK: driving up food prices, leading to shortages of goods and gridlock on some roads in the South East resulting from extra border checks.
AFP.