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Brexit: MPs vow to vote down May's withdrawal agreement next month Brexit: MPs vow to vote down May's withdrawal agreement next month
(2 days later)
MPs on all sides of the Brexit divide have vowed to vote down Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement when the government brings the bill to the House of Commons next month.MPs on all sides of the Brexit divide have vowed to vote down Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement when the government brings the bill to the House of Commons next month.
Downing Street said the key piece of Brexit legislation – the withdrawal agreement bill – would be voted on in the week beginning 3 June. “It is imperative we do so then if the UK is to leave the EU before the summer parliamentary recess,” a spokesman said.Downing Street said the key piece of Brexit legislation – the withdrawal agreement bill – would be voted on in the week beginning 3 June. “It is imperative we do so then if the UK is to leave the EU before the summer parliamentary recess,” a spokesman said.
Talks with Labour are to continue in the meantime. The prime minister met the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, on Tuesday night, though no substantive progress has been made towards a cross-party agreement.Talks with Labour are to continue in the meantime. The prime minister met the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, on Tuesday night, though no substantive progress has been made towards a cross-party agreement.
The Democratic Unionist party’s Westminster leader, Nigel Dodds, said it was “highly likely” May’s deal would be defeated again unless the prime minister can “demonstrate something new that addresses the problem of the backstop”.The Democratic Unionist party’s Westminster leader, Nigel Dodds, said it was “highly likely” May’s deal would be defeated again unless the prime minister can “demonstrate something new that addresses the problem of the backstop”.
He added: “The prime minister has not pursued the one option that has ever achieved a positive vote for something in parliament. Alternative arrangements to the backstop won easily while everything else has failed.He added: “The prime minister has not pursued the one option that has ever achieved a positive vote for something in parliament. Alternative arrangements to the backstop won easily while everything else has failed.
“For the bill to have any prospect of success then there must be real change to protect the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom and deliver Brexit.”“For the bill to have any prospect of success then there must be real change to protect the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom and deliver Brexit.”
The former environment secretary Owen Paterson, a member of the European Research Group, said nothing new had been put forward to convince hardline Brexiters in the Conservative party to vote for the agreement, and warned about the rise of Nigel Farage’s Brexit party.The former environment secretary Owen Paterson, a member of the European Research Group, said nothing new had been put forward to convince hardline Brexiters in the Conservative party to vote for the agreement, and warned about the rise of Nigel Farage’s Brexit party.
“Sadly we will vote against it, yes, because as the DUP said in their statement, it doesn’t change the essential nature of the withdrawal agreement, which is unacceptable,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday.“Sadly we will vote against it, yes, because as the DUP said in their statement, it doesn’t change the essential nature of the withdrawal agreement, which is unacceptable,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday.
“People aren’t flocking to this new [Brexit] party’s rallies from the Tory party and the Labour party clamouring for the agreement, which has been the reaction of the government. They are going because they want to leave and they voted to leave, and they thought we were leaving on 29 March, and they feel thwarted and cheated.”“People aren’t flocking to this new [Brexit] party’s rallies from the Tory party and the Labour party clamouring for the agreement, which has been the reaction of the government. They are going because they want to leave and they voted to leave, and they thought we were leaving on 29 March, and they feel thwarted and cheated.”
European parliament elections take place across the UK and the rest of the EU Nigel Farage’s Brexit party and the Liberal Democrats have both seen surges in support in the polls leading up to the election. Results of the European elections are announced, starting at 10pm, with the Conservatives expecting massive losses.
Results of the European elections are declared from 10pm, with the Conservatives expecting massive losses.  Theresa May resigns as the leader of the Conservative party, triggering a leadership contest.
Theresa May is planing to bring her withdrawal agreement back to to parliament for another vote. The date past which Theresa May had said she would not countenance the UK staying in the EU. It now seems impossible the UK will have left by then, and so British MEPs will be taking up their seats in the European parliament.
This is the crucial date past which May said she would not countenance the UK staying in the EU. May must have passed her withdrawal deal before this date in order avoid British MEPs taking up their seats.  The Commons is expected to return from summer recess, with a new prime minister in place.
The Commons is expected to return from summer recess, bar any early recall to deal with a Brexit crisis. 
The Labour and Conservative party conferences are held on consecutive weeks.The Labour and Conservative party conferences are held on consecutive weeks.
MPs return to parliament after the party conference season, 18 working days before the UK would be due to leave the EU.  MPs return to parliament after the party conference season, 18 working days before the UK was due to leave the EU.
This is the last practical polling date on which a prime minister could hold a general election or second referendum – the final Thursday before the next meeting of the European council. The last polling date on which a new prime minister could hold a general election or second referendum – the final Thursday before the next meeting of the European council.
EU leaders meet for the final meeting of the European council before the UK’s extension is due to expire. EU leaders hold the last meeting of the European council before the UK’s extension is due to expire.
The six-month article 50 extension will expire. The six-month article 50 extension expires.
The next date on which Tory MPs can hold a confidence vote in Theresa May, if she remains at the helm.
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
Remain-backing Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs also said they would vote down any agreement unless it had a referendum attached. The Lib Dem leader, Vince Cable, said his party would back any deal if it were subject to a fresh referendum.Remain-backing Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs also said they would vote down any agreement unless it had a referendum attached. The Lib Dem leader, Vince Cable, said his party would back any deal if it were subject to a fresh referendum.
“If the government were to put forward its deal tomorrow, however modified by the Labour party, we’ve made very clear we would support it, providing it is subject to a confirmatory referendum, so we are not in any sense blocking progress,” he told Today.“If the government were to put forward its deal tomorrow, however modified by the Labour party, we’ve made very clear we would support it, providing it is subject to a confirmatory referendum, so we are not in any sense blocking progress,” he told Today.
“I think now the government are running out of other options, I think that is where we are going to end up.”“I think now the government are running out of other options, I think that is where we are going to end up.”
Labour’s Anna McMorrin, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign, said it was “yet another futile attempt to bounce parliament” and would fail again.Labour’s Anna McMorrin, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign, said it was “yet another futile attempt to bounce parliament” and would fail again.
“They can try the same failed strategy as many times as they like, but the reality is there is no stable majority in parliament for their already thrice-rejected deal or for any other form of Brexit,” she said.“They can try the same failed strategy as many times as they like, but the reality is there is no stable majority in parliament for their already thrice-rejected deal or for any other form of Brexit,” she said.
“The Labour party leadership must not be complicit in inflicting any botched version of Brexit on our country without letting the public have the final say.”“The Labour party leadership must not be complicit in inflicting any botched version of Brexit on our country without letting the public have the final say.”
The Scottish National party’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, also said his 35 MPs would vote against the bill. “As is now beyond doubt, there is no such thing as a good Brexit. Any form of Brexit would destroy thousands of Scottish jobs and be catastrophic for living standards, our public services and the economy,” he said.The Scottish National party’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, also said his 35 MPs would vote against the bill. “As is now beyond doubt, there is no such thing as a good Brexit. Any form of Brexit would destroy thousands of Scottish jobs and be catastrophic for living standards, our public services and the economy,” he said.
Bringing the withdrawal agreement bill to parliament with no stable majority is fraught with risk for the government. Should the bill fail to pass at second reading, May would not be able to bring it back during this parliament and may be faced with proroguing parliament in order to make any new attempt.Bringing the withdrawal agreement bill to parliament with no stable majority is fraught with risk for the government. Should the bill fail to pass at second reading, May would not be able to bring it back during this parliament and may be faced with proroguing parliament in order to make any new attempt.
BrexitBrexit
Theresa MayTheresa May
ConservativesConservatives
LabourLabour
Scottish National party (SNP)Scottish National party (SNP)
Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats
Democratic Unionist party (DUP)Democratic Unionist party (DUP)
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