This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/19/backbench-mps-set-to-back-amendment-to-queens-speech
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Eurosceptic MPs set to back amendment to Queen's speech | Eurosceptic MPs set to back amendment to Queen's speech |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Eurosceptic backbench MPs are stepping up the pressure on David Cameron in the run-up to the June referendum, with more than 25 preparing to back an amendment to the Queen’s speech, as Downing Street was accused of pursuing a “scorched earth” campaign to keep Britain in the EU. | |
| Eurosceptic Tories are teaming up with Labour and SNP MPs to put pressure on the prime minister over TTIP, which some believe could force privatisation of the NHS. | |
| News of the amendment, which reveals the extent to which backbenchers are prepared to make trouble for Cameron, emerged as Steve Baker, the backbench MP who chairs the Conservatives for Britain group, accused the campaign to keep Britain in the EU, which is being closely coordinated from Downing Street, of orchestrating personal attacks on leading Brexit figures. | News of the amendment, which reveals the extent to which backbenchers are prepared to make trouble for Cameron, emerged as Steve Baker, the backbench MP who chairs the Conservatives for Britain group, accused the campaign to keep Britain in the EU, which is being closely coordinated from Downing Street, of orchestrating personal attacks on leading Brexit figures. |
| The amendment to the Queen’s speech expresses regret that there was no bill in Wednesday’s address to protect the NHS from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a deal being hammered out between the EU and US. | |
| “What I am saying is – please don’t anyone on any side follow a scorched earth policy. There have been too many instances where comment in the press from a campaigner has been followed by attacks on them personally. That must stop,” he told the BBC’s Today programme. | |
| He cited several examples, including attacks by Lord Heseltine on Boris Johnson’s judgment: “Of course, I agree that we must get back together, that’s why I have taken this step, but what I am essentially saying is – Queensberry rules. So, a full frontal assault with due warning is fine, but the dagger in the heart, inserted from the back, through whispering in dark corridors is not OK.” | He cited several examples, including attacks by Lord Heseltine on Boris Johnson’s judgment: “Of course, I agree that we must get back together, that’s why I have taken this step, but what I am essentially saying is – Queensberry rules. So, a full frontal assault with due warning is fine, but the dagger in the heart, inserted from the back, through whispering in dark corridors is not OK.” |
| The Queen’s speech amendment, backed by an unusual alliance between rightwing Conservatives and leftwing politicians could trigger a defeat for the prime minister because Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is strongly opposed to TTIP. | The Queen’s speech amendment, backed by an unusual alliance between rightwing Conservatives and leftwing politicians could trigger a defeat for the prime minister because Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is strongly opposed to TTIP. |
| Baker is one of the signatories to the amendment. They also include Paula Sheriff, who is on the health select committee, Jon Cruddas, Ian Mearns from Labour, as well as Conservatives Peter Lilley and Anne Marie Trevelyan. There is support from SNP politicians as well. | |
| Rebellions over the Queen’s speech from government backbenchers are rare but it is a strategy Eurosceptic Conservative MPs have used in the past to exert pressure on Cameron, with 116 supporting an amendment in 2013 demanding legislation on a referendum on EU membership. |