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Brexit: Theresa May faces Tory revolt that could force her to reveal her plans | Brexit: Theresa May faces Tory revolt that could force her to reveal her plans |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A fresh Conservative revolt this week could force Theresa May to abandon her hopes to keep her plans for Brexit secret. | A fresh Conservative revolt this week could force Theresa May to abandon her hopes to keep her plans for Brexit secret. |
Up to 40 Tory backbenchers are believed to be ready to vote with Labour to bind the Prime Minister into “publishing the government’s plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked”. | Up to 40 Tory backbenchers are believed to be ready to vote with Labour to bind the Prime Minister into “publishing the government’s plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked”. |
The motion, to be debated on Wednesday, demands the government set out its broad aims for Brexit – its stance on the single market, on freedom of movement of EU citizens, and on security matters, for example. | |
Until now, Ms May has refused to make such a commitment, arguing that “showing the government’s hand” will weaken its position in the negotiations to follow. | Until now, Ms May has refused to make such a commitment, arguing that “showing the government’s hand” will weaken its position in the negotiations to follow. |
But – faced with the revolt – she may be forced to give way or face the humiliation of being defeated by the Labour motion. | But – faced with the revolt – she may be forced to give way or face the humiliation of being defeated by the Labour motion. |
Anna Soubry, a key pro-Remain Tory MP, said: “I have to say I can't see anything in it I don't approve of and could not support.” | Anna Soubry, a key pro-Remain Tory MP, said: “I have to say I can't see anything in it I don't approve of and could not support.” |
She urged the Prime Minister to put down her own “sensible amendment” – telling BBC Radio 4's World At One: "These things are incredibly important. This actually transcends party politics and tribalism.” | She urged the Prime Minister to put down her own “sensible amendment” – telling BBC Radio 4's World At One: "These things are incredibly important. This actually transcends party politics and tribalism.” |
Ms Soubry suggested scores of Conservative backbenches were concerned that the government’s Brexit strategy was not being put under the microscope. | Ms Soubry suggested scores of Conservative backbenches were concerned that the government’s Brexit strategy was not being put under the microscope. |
The clash threatens a rerun of a Labour motion two months ago, which merely demanded “proper” Parliamentary scrutiny of the exit plan by the Commons. | The clash threatens a rerun of a Labour motion two months ago, which merely demanded “proper” Parliamentary scrutiny of the exit plan by the Commons. |
On that occasion, to avoid a damaging backbench rebellion, the Prime Minister was forced to effectively give it her backing. | On that occasion, to avoid a damaging backbench rebellion, the Prime Minister was forced to effectively give it her backing. |
The debate also gave a platform to a string of former Conservative ministers to warn that the lack of a coherent plan for leaving the EU was hurting the economy. | The debate also gave a platform to a string of former Conservative ministers to warn that the lack of a coherent plan for leaving the EU was hurting the economy. |
If there is a similar climbdown before Wednesday afternoon, it could commit the government to publish a white or green paper ahead of the triggering of the Article 50 notice. | If there is a similar climbdown before Wednesday afternoon, it could commit the government to publish a white or green paper ahead of the triggering of the Article 50 notice. |
Ms May still intends to do that before the end of March – although that timetable could be derailed by the Supreme Court case into whether Parliament must first give its consent. | Ms May still intends to do that before the end of March – although that timetable could be derailed by the Supreme Court case into whether Parliament must first give its consent. |
The motion, tabled by Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, his Brexit spokesman, appears carefully crafted to attract as much Conservative support as possible. | The motion, tabled by Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, his Brexit spokesman, appears carefully crafted to attract as much Conservative support as possible. |
It acknowledges there “should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the European Union”. | It acknowledges there “should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the European Union”. |
Some pro-Brexit Tory MPs are also expected to back it – as they fear some ministers are backsliding on a clean withdrawal and want to see the government’s strategy. | Some pro-Brexit Tory MPs are also expected to back it – as they fear some ministers are backsliding on a clean withdrawal and want to see the government’s strategy. |
There was fresh confusion at the weekend when Boris Johnson dismissed the idea of significant payments to retain access to the single market – just days after Brexit Secretary David Davis suggested they would be necessary. | |
Labour has pointed out that command papers and economic impact papers were put before MPs before Britain entered the then-EEC in 1973 – arguing for the same. | |
Jenny Chapman, a junior Brexit spokeswoman, protested that MPs had to make do with “side comments” from ministers, or “leaked documents”. | Jenny Chapman, a junior Brexit spokeswoman, protested that MPs had to make do with “side comments” from ministers, or “leaked documents”. |
She said: “It is up to Conservative MPs themselves to work out what they want to do.” | She said: “It is up to Conservative MPs themselves to work out what they want to do.” |