Theresa May poised to scrap Commons’ February break to pass Brexit bills
THERESA May is preparing to force Parliament to work through the February break – in the first Commons holiday ban for six years.
The Sun can reveal the cross-party Foreign Affairs Select Committee has cancelled a trip to India that was earmarked for recess from the 18th to the 25th next month.
Tory chair Tom Tugendhat yesterday confirmed the trip was being postponed – saying it made “common sense” to wait.
Separately, senior sources claim builders working on the restoration of Parliament have been told they will not be able to carry out their planned programme.
Government insiders claim Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom is desperate to avoid cancelling the holiday for further upsetting Tory MPs.
But Ministers said it was almost inevitable given the sheer amount of legislation that’s needed to pass through the Commons before Brexit day on March 29. One source said the PM was “dithering” and trying to put off a decision despite huge pressure from party whips for clarity.
The Government still needs to pass the Trade Bill, Healthcare Bill, Agriculture Bill, Fisheries Bill, Immigration Bill, Financial Services Bill and a new Withdrawal Agreement Bill by Brexit in just 65 days’ time.
Labour veteran Chris Bryant yesterday said: “Lots of rumours among Ministers and Commons staff that February recess is not going ahead.”
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The PM’s official spokesman said: “Any decision in relation to that will be set out in the business of the House. We are committed to having the statute book ready for exit day.”
Ex-PM David Cameron called MPs back from their summer holidays in 2013 over the Syrian crisis.
Within days he suffered a crushing defeat on military intervention. He also ‘recalled’ the House in 2011 over the London riots.
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