Brexit: There is no ideal choice, says secretary of justice

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Secretary of Justice David Gauke said there was "no ideal choice" to break the Brexit stalemate.

The Prime Minister is considering her next decision after her withdrawal plan has been defeated for the third time by MPs.

On Monday, Parliament will hold an indicative vote on alternatives to Brexit. A customs union with the EU would be the most likely preference.

Mr Gauke warned that it would be "not viable" to ignore the deputies who voted for a sweeter Brexit.

Speaking at the Andrew Marr broadcast of the BBC, he claimed that the Prime Minister's agreement was "the best result".

But he added, "Sometimes you have to accept your second or third choice to avoid a result that you consider worse."

Deputy Labor Party leader Tom Watson said it would be "inconceivable" if there were general elections and that his party did not include a new referendum in his manifesto.

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Following the UK's vote to leave the EU in 2016, Theresa May has negotiated a withdrawal agreement with the EU.

Although European leaders have accepted the plan, Ms. May has still not approved the agreement approved by Parliament.

The Prime Minister has until April 12 to ask for a longer extension of the Article 50 process if the UK wants to avoid leaving without agreement.

The Prime Minister's agreement is currently being contested by parties, including the Northern Ireland DUP – on which the government is supporting – and a group of its own MPs.

Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker, who resigned from his position as Brexit Minister after the Prime Minister's treatment of negotiations, wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that Ms. May's agreement "can not be allowed to be executed in all cost".

However, he admitted to having voted for the project on Thursday before being discussed by friends.

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And then?

• Monday, April 1st: MEPs hold another round of votes on Brexit options to see if they can agree on a way forward
• Wednesday, April 3rd: Potentially another round of so-called "indicative votes"
• Wednesday, April 10: European leaders' emergency summit on any request for additional extension of the United Kingdom
• Friday April 12th: Brexit Day, if the UK does not ask / the EU does not grant any additional time
• May 23-26: Elections to the European Parliament

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On Monday, MEPs have a non-binding vote on a series of options designed to test the will of Parliament. The intention is to see what result, if any, command a majority.

None of the eight options proposed by MEPs won a majority in the first round of indicative votes on 27 March, but those who received the most are a customs union with the EU and a referendum on everything. agreement.

A customs union would allow companies to transport goods in the European Union without checks or fees – but membership would prevent the UK from concluding independent trade agreements after Brexit.

Mr Gauke said he was in favor of leaving the customs union, saying that it "would better reflect the way the country voted in 2016".

Membership in a customs union would be a violation of the 2017 Conservative manifesto.

But he acknowledged that his party "does not have the votes to get his manifesto pbaded in the House of Commons yet."

"We are in an environment where it's not just about choosing your first choice," he added.

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Mr Gauke reiterated his opposition to a Brexit without agreement, warning that he would leave the government if such a policy was pursued.

A Brexit without an agreement would mean immediately cutting ties with the European Union and complying with the trade rules of the World Trade Organization.

Tom Watson said that there was an "emerging consensus" among Labor MPs.

He said: "Whatever the aspect of the agreement – and we understand that there must be compromises – it is supported by a vote of is the way to bring the country closer together. "

Shadow Foreign Minister Emily Thornberry said under a Labor government that it was "likely" that the UK would leave the European Union.

When asked if the Labor Party was a party of the rest, Ms. Thornberry replied: "In our hearts, we want to stay, but we have to reconcile that with democracy.

"If people want us to leave, we have to leave."

"The last thing we need"

Thornberry also said "it looks like the time is coming" for another vote of confidence vote in the government.

If adopted, it would pave the way for general elections.

Conservative Party vice-president James Cleverly told Sky News that his party was carrying out "sensible pragmatic planning" in case there was a quick general election, but were not trying to appeal.

And Mr Gauke warned that he did not see how general elections would get out of the current stalemate.

Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major said, "When feelings go up … a general election is pretty much the last thing we need."

But he added, "We could be driven to that later."

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If an election failed to win a majority in the House of Commons, Sir John suggested the formation of a "limited-time" national unity government.

"I think it would be in the national interest to have a multi-party government so that we can make decisions without the chaos we see in Parliament when all possible alternatives are rejected."

"I do not think it's ideal, I would prefer a Conservative government with a clear majority."

But he baderted that such a government would at least make decisions.