In an urgent Report following yesterday’s decision to reject the
Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Deal for the second time, the
Committee says that Parliament will need to request an extension
to Article 50 to allow sufficient time for the House of Commons
to identify a way forward which can provide clarity about the
UK’s future relationship with the EU and win a majority.
Provision must be made without delay for a series of indicative
votes so as to begin the process by which a clear plan can be
identified.
The Government also needs to clarify what its understanding is of
the need for the UK to participate in the European Parliament
elections depending on the length of extension agreed with the
EU, unless a protocol can quickly be agreed with the EU which
removes the obligation on the UK to take part.
Chair of the Committee, MP, said:
“After another historic defeat for the Prime Minister, the UK
will now have to apply for an extension to Article 50. The
extension will need to be of sufficient length to allow
Parliament to reach agreement on a proposal that it is prepared
to support.
“The clock has now been run down to the point where there is no
alternative left given that leaving with no deal cannot be the
policy of any responsible Government.
“Parliament must now be given the chance to hold a series of
indicative votes as quickly as possible or else we will not find
out what there might be support for as an alternative to the
Prime Minister’s deal which has now been rejected twice by large
majorities.”
