MPs consider options for second round of Brexit indicative votes
MPs are expected to take part in the second stage of the Brexit indicative vote process on Monday.
None of the eight alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal were approved last week after Parliament seized control of the Commons agenda.
Many of the ideas have returned for a second attempt, with Speaker John Bercow the person responsible for selecting which ones can be put to a vote.
– Motion A: Unilateral right of exit from the backstop.
Tory backbenchers, led by John Baron, want the UK to leave the EU on May 22 2019 with the Withdrawal Agreement amended to allow the UK unilaterally to exit the controversial Northern Ireland backstop.
– Motion B: No deal in the absence of a Withdrawal Agreement.
John Baron MP: "…whilst most of us in this place want a good deal, many of us have taken the view that the deal on offer from the Prime Minister is not a good deal, and therefore the legal default position is that we leave on no-deal/WTO terms." pic.twitter.com/EeLCmIM6ZB
— BrexitCentral (@BrexitCentral) March 27, 2019
Another proposal from Mr Baron, which calls for a no-deal Brexit on April 12 if no Withdrawal Agreement can be agreed by the Commons.
– Motion C: Customs union.
Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke’s customs union plan requires any Brexit deal to include, as a minimum, a commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU”.
This was defeated by the smallest margin in the first round, falling just six votes short.
– Motion D: Common market 2.0.
Common Market 2.0:
– Respects result of the referendum by leaving the EU for EFTA – no more 'ever closer union'
– Leaves ECJ (EFTA court respects national sovereignty)
– Introduces safeguards on EU migration
– Protects jobs by maintaining full Single Market participation pic.twitter.com/sOSI58LDIQ
— Stephen Kinnock (@SKinnock) January 22, 2019
Tabled by Conservatives Nick Boles, Robert Halfon and Dame Caroline Spelman and Labour’s Stephen Kinnock, Lucy Powell plus the SNP’s Stewart Hosie.
The motion proposes UK membership of the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area. It allows continued participation in the single market and a “comprehensive customs arrangement” with the EU after Brexit – including a “UK say” on future EU trade deals – would remain in place until the agreement of a wider trade deal which guarantees frictionless movement of goods and an open border in Ireland.
– Motion E: Confirmatory public vote.
We're in Bolton, and virtually no one here thinks Brexit is going well.
Thank you @DavidCrausby and @YasminQureshiMP for supporting a confirmatory referendum on the final deal last week – whatever agreement is reached, this needs to go back to the people.#100×100pic.twitter.com/9wV4wisWGU
— Our Future, Our Choice (@OFOCBrexit) March 30, 2019
It has been drawn up by Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson. This motion would require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by Parliament before its ratification. This option, tabled last time by Labour former minister Dame Margaret Beckett, polled the highest number of votes although was defeated by 295 votes to 268.
– Motion F: Public vote to prevent no deal.
Moved by Labour’s Graham Jones and Tory former minister Dominic Grieve, this proposal would require a referendum, if necessary, to prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Motion G: Parliamentary supremacy.
If we can't agree a deal we want:1. We ask for an extension2. If the EU says no there's no time for a referendum so3. Parliament chooses between either (1) No Deal or (2) Revoking, with a commitment to a public inquiry into what we want and a possible further notification pic.twitter.com/8xD9WnHyTT
— Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) March 29, 2019
SNP MP Joanna Cherry joins with Mr Grieve and MPs from other parties with this plan to seek an extension to the Brexit process, and if this is not possible then Parliament will choose between either no-deal or revoking Article 50.
An inquiry would follow to assess the future relationship likely to be acceptable to Brussels and have majority support in the UK.
Motion H: Efta and EEA.
A motion tabled by Conservative MP George Eustice – who quit as agriculture minister to fight for Brexit – proposes rejoining the European Free Trade Association (Efta) at the “earliest opportunity”, agree a short extension to the UK’s membership of the EU to conclude accession to Efta and negotiate with the EU additional protocols relating to the Northern Ireland border and agri-food trade.