What the papers say – March 19
John Bercow’s ruling over a third vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal dominates the front pages on Tuesday.
The Guardian reports that the Prime Minister’s government was “plunged into constitutional chaos” after the Speaker blocked Mrs May from bringing her Withdrawal Agreement back before MPs unless it had fundamentally changed.
The Guardian front page, Tuesday 19 March 2019: Brexit chaos as Speaker stops May in her tracks pic.twitter.com/tWun377Nk3
— The Guardian (@guardian) March 18, 2019
The Times says Downing Street accused Mr Bercow of sabotaging the PM’s efforts to rescue her deal.
The Times 19/3/2019John Bercow rules out a new vote by MPs on Brexit deal if the motion is the same, or very similar. MP's say, it would be against parliamentary rules to vote without changes to it. Photo : HOC/Universal News And Sport #thetimes#tomorrowspaperstoday@thetimespic.twitter.com/I7UL50l5DD
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) March 18, 2019
Mr Bercow invoked a convention last used 99 years ago to stop the vote taking place, the Daily Telegraph reports, saying his announcement was greeted with fury in the Commons.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'a major constitutional crisis' #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/bhMR7tKQk2
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 18, 2019
The Daily Express runs with the headline: “The Brexit destroyer”, while the Metro says the Speaker surprised Mrs May with his ruling.
Tomorrow's @Daily_Express front page:
– Speaker John Bercow triggers ‘constitutional crisis’ by ruling out PM’s third vote #Brexit
– Vanessa Feltz: 'I know the harsh reality of TV fame'
– Kate and Meghan: Even the royals can fail to pick a fashion winner#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/UMCLiivU03
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) March 18, 2019
METRO: 400 year old rule blocks Brexit vote 3 #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/w7fZlcYXZx
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 18, 2019
It came just 24 hours before the PM was expected to ask the Commons to decide on the issue for a third time following two defeats, the Daily Mail reports.
Tuesday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/0mLxow2MAp
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) March 18, 2019
The Sun says it is a “huge blow” to hopes of an orderly departure on March 29.
Tomorrow's front page: Speaker John Bercow torpedoed Theresa May's EU deal – and stuck two fingers up to 17.4million Brexit voters https://t.co/bfFKbaLEtKpic.twitter.com/Wi7zfvgLmh
— The Sun (@TheSun) March 18, 2019
And the Financial Times reports that the PM’s plan to get her deal through the Commons faces a “potentially insurmountable hurdle” following the Speaker’s ruling.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 19 March https://t.co/4kgsLm0gawpic.twitter.com/nXQV6ZWtc0
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 18, 2019
Meanwhile, the i says up to 30 Conservative MPs have told the PM she needs to step down.
I: Time to go, dozens of MPs tell May #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/wsXYZFzms6
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 18, 2019
In other news, the Daily Mirror reports that MPs are to probe whether women are turning to prostitution because of Universal Credit.
MIRROR: Women forced to sell sex in Benefits crisis #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/uzKQAmxOdk
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 18, 2019