Remain campaigner Baroness Karren Brady tells rebel MPs and Lords to back Theresa May on Brexit – saying the PM needs support
The ex-Remain campaigner and Apprentice star said that while she voted to stay in the EU, Westminster now had to get behind the Prime Minister
BARONESS Karren Brady last night urged rebel MPs to trust Theresa May – and support the Government on Brexit in Parliament on Monday.
The ex-Remain campaigner and Apprentice star said that while she voted to stay in the EU, Westminster now had to get behind the Prime Minister.
She said this meant chucking out Labour and Lib Dem amendments to the Brexit Bill in the Commons today.
These demand the PM to guarantee the rights of EU citizens and give Parliament a ‘veto’ on the outcome of Brexit talks before she can trigger ‘Article 50’ and begin negotiations with the EU.
But Baroness Brady said: “I’ve spent my whole career doing deals, negotiating with partners and getting results. The one thing I’ve learnt is you just can’t operate effectively with one arm tied behind your back.
“That’s exactly what the extra restrictions to the Article 50 bill proposed by Labour and the Lib Dems would do.”
She added: “Our departure from the EU is the most important negotiation for generations. The Government needs the support of Parliament, not additional frustration.”
If a majority of MPs vote to throw out the Lords amendments today, the Brexit Bill goes back to the Lords on Monday night.
Peers are then expected to back down – and accept the Government’s legislation in its original form.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
This would mean Theresa May is in a position to trigger Article 50 as early as Tuesday.
Baroness Brady voted against the amendments in the House of Lords despite vigorously campaign for remain in the EU last year. At the time she was on the executive team of Britain Stronger In Europe.
Fellow board member Lord Stuart Rose last week said Brits should now get “100 per cent behind the Government” over Britain’s EU departure.
Speaking on Sunday Baroness Brady said: “We all need to get on with the job of leaving the European Union and establishing our place in the world.
“I chose to remain in the referendum, but the people had their say and when the bill to start our departure came to the House of Lords I voted for Britain and opposed these amendments.
“Today I hope MPs do the same.”
