[ad_1]
A multi-party group of MPs will step up efforts to end a Brexit without agreement on Wednesday, introducing a bill by Yvette Cooper, a Labor Party member, to extend Article 50 beyond the 12 April.
MEPs opposed to a non-agreement will suspend preparations for another round of indicative votes after the parliament stalled Monday night.
Instead, efforts will focus on the Cooper bill, which would require Theresa May to submit a proposal to extend Article 50 to prevent the UK from leaving the bloc without a default agreement.
An amendment pbaded by members last week gives them the power to control the Order Paper on certain dates, which would give them time to debate and pbad the bill, even though it will face a number of difficult hurdles. in the House of Commons only among the Lords.
Cooper said the government could decide on the length of an extension to propose. "We are now in a really dangerous situation with a serious risk and growing lack of agreement in 10 days," she said.
"The Prime Minister has the responsibility to prevent this from happening. She has to make a proposal, including how long we think an extension will take to fix the problem. If the government does not act urgently, it will be up to Parliament to make sure that happens even if we meet the deadlines. "
The bill is supported by Sir Oliver Letwin, the Conservative MP behind the decision to hold indicative votes. Letwin said it was worthwhile to try to pbad the bill, even though MPs were expecting to face substantial opposition.
"This is an ultimate attempt to prevent our country from being exposed to the risks inherent in an exit without agreement," he said. "We realize it's difficult. But it's really worth trying.
The one-clause bill will be introduced on Tuesday, forcing the prime minister to immediately put forward a proposal to extend the period provided for in Article 50, starting on April 12, to allow parliament to debate and vote.
MPs will then present a business motion to debate on Wednesday to pave the way for all stages of the bill in the House of Commons – which may trigger a heated debate over whether it should be allowed to go forward.
If members pbad the business motion and allow the bill to go forward, they hope to complete the various stages of the bill in the House of Commons on Thursday and then send it to the House of Lords.
There is still room for the government to bring back a third useful vote on May's May Brexit agreement, if President John Bercow allows it. MEPs could also reduce more indicative votes on Thursday, on various options of Brexit, including a referendum or a customs union.
Labor MP Lucy Powell, one of the main proponents of the Norwegian-led push by a multi-party group of MPs during the indicative vote process, said Parliament should play an even bigger role.
"We put the government back in charge, but it can not drive," she said. "A mishmash team of simple MPs with no resources or government power has actually achieved more consensus in a matter of weeks than the government in months."
Source link