MPs move to force May into Brexit delay

A cross-party group of MPs has launched a bid to force UK Prime Minister Theresa May to halt a no-deal Brexit by tabling a bill requiring a delay.

A group of British politicians will try to pass a law which would force Prime Minister Theresa May to seek a delay to Britain's departure from the European Union and thus prevent a chaotic no-deal exit on April 12.

On Monday parliament failed to find a majority for any alternative to May's thrice-defeated deal.

Leaving the EU without a deal on April 12 is the default legal option if Britain cannot present another viable option to EU leaders holding an emergency Brexit summit on April 10.

"We are now in a really dangerous situation with a serious and growing risk of no-deal in 10 days' time," said opposition Labour lawmaker, Yvette Cooper, who has proposed the legislation alongside eleven others from several political parties, including members of May's Conservatives.

"The Prime Minister has a responsibility to prevent that happening ... If the government won't act urgently, then parliament has a responsibility to try to ensure that happens even though we are right up against the deadline."

The group said it would be up to the government to decide how long to propose as a delay.

Conservative lawmaker Oliver Letwin, who led the process of so-called indicative votes on alternative Brexit options, said the draft legislation was "a last-ditch attempt to prevent our country being exposed to the risks inherent in a no deal exit."

"We realise this is difficult. But it is definitely worth trying," he added.

The lawmakers did not give a timetable for the legislation, but are due to take control of parliamentary time on Wednesday, when they could either debate the legislation or set out when they intend to try and pass the bill.

Pro-Brexit Conservative Bill Cash told parliament seizing control in this way was a "a reprehensible procedure".

Parliament's speaker John Bercow said it was not unusual for government legislation to be passed by the House of Commons in a single day.

The EU would have to agree to any further delay to the Article 50 negotiating period, and have said Britain would need to give a reason for the delay.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world