Theresa May to guarantee UK matches EU on workers’ rights after Brexit following deal with Labour
No10 has reportedly approached a number of prominent Labour MPs to table an amendment to the PM’s Withdrawal Motion – which the Government would support
DOWNING Street is preparing to formally back a new package of workers’ rights in a deal with Labour MPs next week, it has been claimed.
Insiders said No10 has approached a number of prominent Labour MPs to table an amendment to the PM’s Withdrawal Motion on Thursday – which the Government would support.
The hope is that a large number of Labour MPs will publicly sign up and declare their support for the cross-party push.
Labour’s John Mann and Caroline Flint tabled a workers’ rights package to the PM’s deal at the start of January but the motion was never voted on as it wasn’t picked for debate by the Speaker.
One source said: “They’ve approached a few people including a frontbencher to table this.”
Theresa May and her senior team have held a series of meetings with top union officials over drawing up new primary legislation to guarantee the UK matches the EU on workers’ rights and environmental protection after Brexit.
The move has infuriated the People’s Vote campaign who fear it will “peel off” a sizeable number of Labour MPs and see the PM’s deal pass.
Downing Street declined to comment on Thursday.
Separately, a Labour veteran who voted Leave plans to make a formal bid for a second referendum in the Commons next week.
Roger Godsiff says it was only right that the public should have the “final say” on the Prime Minister’s deal when it is finalised.
He will table an amendment to Theresa May’s ‘Withdrawal’ motion which is set to be debated on Valentine’s Day.
The move is understood to have infuriated campaign chiefs at the People’s Vote – who fear there is no chance of a second referendum bid winning a majority in the House of Commons.
Tory ‘Remainers’ Sarah Wollaston and Philip Lee pulled a proposed second referendum amendment at the last minute last month under intense pressure from People’s Vote.
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Mr Godsiff - whose Birmingham Hall Green voted to Remain in 2016 - told The Sun: “The original decision was taken by the people.
“So I think it’s only appropriate that there is a chance for Parliament to give it back to the people for them to make a decision on it.”
Under his proposed amendment, the public will get to vote on three outcomes – the PM’s Brexit deal, No Deal or to Remain in the EU.
THE SUN SAYS: SAVE BREXIT
IF Tory backbench eurosceptics want to ensure Brexit happens they must get real.
The Irish backstop won’t be “binned”. The “Malthouse compromise” is too late.
The best they can hope for is a legally-binding tweak allowing us to leave the hated backstop and ensuring Britain and Northern Ireland are not divided.
Jeremy Corbyn’s cynical offer to Theresa May should focus Tory minds.
Rejecting her deal won’t bring about the No Deal many want. We believe a majority of MPs and half the Cabinet will blow up the Government and Brexit before they let that happen.
The result COULD be Mrs May agreeing to Corbyn’s idiotic demand for permanent Customs Union membership. But we can’t believe she’ll do that either.
It would rip the Tories in two, as Labour aides calculate, as well as being an insane surrender of our sovereignty and future economic independence and a betrayal of Leave voters. Small wonder Brussels was so keen on it yesterday.
All of which leaves what? A postponement on March 29, terrible damage to the Tories and a possible second referendum tearing the country apart.
Some have written off the “people’s vote” mob already. Not us.
So Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the rest must think hard. Vote down whatever legal concession the PM secures and chaos may follow.
The Sun still reckons Leave would win a second referendum.
But why risk rolling the dice?
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