Today, MPs will vote on the Government’s Brexit motion, and any amendments selected by the Speaker, to secure a deal that Parliament can support and which delivers on the result of the referendum.
- We are working to secure a Brexit deal that respects the referendum result, protects jobs and the union, and gives citizens and businesses certainty. Our focus continues to be on what is needed to secure the support of MPs for a Brexit deal with the EU.
- Rather than creating obstacles to Brexit, the Brady amendment will give the mandate and flexibility we need to go to Brussels and negotiate an alternative arrangement that commands a majority in the House of Commons. It is the only amendment that will give the Prime Minister the mandate she needs to deliver a deal that Parliament can support.
- The Cooper and Grieve amendments are unprecedented and could have far-reaching and long-term implications for the way the United Kingdom is governed, and for the balance of powers and responsibilities in our democratic institutions.
- We will bring a revised deal back to Parliament for a second Meaningful Vote as soon as possible, so MPs will have another opportunity to revisit the question of leaving the EU with or without a deal. Today, we must focus all our efforts on securing a good deal with the EU that enables us to leave in a smooth and orderly way on 29 March.
- If we want to tell Brussels what Parliament will accept, we have to vote for it. If we want to leave with a deal, we have to vote for it. If we want Brexit, we have to vote for Brexit.
Let’s be clear about the alternatives:
- Ruling out no deal – The right way to rule out no deal is for this House to approve a deal with the European Union, which is what this Government is seeking to achieve. The only other guaranteed way to avoid a no deal Brexit is to revoke Article 50, which would mean going against the referendum result.
- Extending Article 50 – This is not ruling out no deal, but simply deferring the point of decision. The policy dilemmas, choices and trade-offs that face Parliament will not go away if we postpone exit day.
- A second referendum – The duty of politicians is to implement the result of the referendum, not suggest the public got it wrong, set a difficult precedent and undermine faith in democracy.
