REMAIN REVOLT
MPs threaten Commons ‘sit in’ to block No Deal Brexit as Cabinet ministers pledge to stop Boris taking us out without deal
REBEL Remainers will stage a "sit in" if Boris Johnson tries to shut down Parliament to force through a No Deal Brexit.
The threat comes as Cabinet ministers vow to block the new PM's Brexit strategy.
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Plotters led by Philip Hammond have vowed to keep turning up to the Commons even if PM Boris went through with the dramatic option of ramming through No Deal by ending the current session.
Their plan could involve simply refusing to leave the chamber and would likely be allowed by Remain-backing Speaker John Bercow.
The Chancellor said: “The idea that elected Members of Parliament will be locked out of their place of work because they might do their job is truly shocking.”
He predicted a shutdown, which Boris has not ruled out, would trigger a constitutional crisis because MPs are “dead-set against” a No Deal exit.
Theresa May's deputy David Lidington added that it would be a “constitutional outrage” if the next Prime Minister tried to suspend Parliament under a procedure known as prorogation.
He said: "I think that the precedent that that would set, for perhaps a hard left government of the future, would be very damaging indeed."
There will be resort to the courts
Philip Hammond
Another ploy to stop Boris leading Britain out of the EU without a deal on Hallowe’en is to challenge it in the courts.
Former PM Sir John Major has threatened the shock move and Chancellor Mr Hammond backed him today, saying: “If we aren’t able to prevent that course of action through Parliament, then certainly there will be resort to the courts.”
In a third line of attack on Boris, Business Secretary Greg Clark warned a No Deal Brexit would cost “many thousands” of jobs.
He said colleagues should “strain every sinew” to avoid the shock outcome.
Tory leadership frontrunner Boris has repeatedly said he will make Brexit happen at the end of October, deal or No Deal, and even some Remain-backing ministers like Amber Rudd now agree it must be in the “armoury” of tactics.
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His rival Jeremy Hunt would prefer to leave with a deal even if meant another delay, but has said he would go for No Deal “with a heavy heart” because of the risks to business.
Ms Rudd today confirmed for the first time she wants to stay in the Cabinet if Mr Johnson becomes PM.
The Hunt backer said: "If the party chooses Boris then I will try and make that work. What everybody has to do is compromise a bit more."
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Ex-PM John Major vows to take Boris Johnson to court if he shuts down Parliament for no-deal Brexit
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