Amendment ‘would allow Remainer MPs delay Brexit for years’ if backed by Commons
The Labour backbencher's motion only proposes extending the Article 50 process until the end of the year but the law needed to enact the delay would be open to change
NO10 LAST night warned that Remainer MPs would be given a “blank cheque” to delay Brexit for years if the Commons backs a move to rule out no deal.
An amendment put forward by Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper to be voted on tomorrow would change the law to stop Britain crashing out without a deal in March.
The wording of her motion only proposes extending the Article 50 process until the end of the year. But the law needed to enact the delay would be open to change if MPs wanted.
Ms Cooper conceded this point yesterday - saying it would be “for Parliament to decide how long it should be,” adding: “It’s far too early now to say what that length of time should be.”
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Downing Street said this risked being hijacked by pro-EU MPs who want to reverse Brexit altogether.
A senior No10 source warned last night: “Leaving aside the constitutional concerns around the Cooper Bill, it is clear from Yvette Cooper’s comments that backing her Bill means signing a blank cheque when it comes to delaying Brexit.
It could mean Brexit is delayed for nine months, a year, or more. It also opens the door to Brexit not happening at all.”
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