MP, leader of the , responding to
’s statement in the House,
said:
I would like to thank the Prime Minister for an advance copy of
her statement and for the meetings she has agreed to in recent
days.
Mr Speaker, the Government's approach to Brexit has now become a
national embarrassment.
After two wasted years of failure – broken promise after broken
promise – the Prime Minister finally accepted the inevitable last
week, voted to extend Article 50 and went to Brussels to
negotiate.
Last week’s summit represented another negotiating failure for
the Prime Minister. Her proposals were rejected and new terms
were imposed on her.
We now have an extension until mid-April or May 22nd and despite
the clearly expressed will of this House we still face the
prospect of a disastrous ‘no deal’ Brexit.
This is even more remarkable given that the Minister for the
Cabinet Office told this very chamber and I quote: "seeking such
a short and, critically, one-off extension would be downright
reckless".
Mr Speaker, this failure has been compounded by the Prime
Minister’s attempts last week to pin the blame for this debacle
on others.
It was wholly inappropriate last Wednesday for the Prime Minister
to try and pit the people against MPs doing their duty to hold
the government of the day to account.
In a climate of heightened emotions where MPs on all sides have
received threats and intimidation I hope the Prime Minister will
reflect and think again about making such dangerous and
irresponsible statements.
Every step of the way along this process the Government has
refused to reach out, refused to listen and refused to find a
consensus that can represent the views of the whole of the
country not just her own Party.
Large parts of our country continue to be ignored by this
government. No wonder so many people felt compelled to march on
the streets or sign petitions over the weekend. Even the most
ardent of Leavers thinks this the Government has failed.
It is easy to understand the frustration at this chaos. It exists
in this House in Brussels and across the country.
They Government has no plan for them it’s all about putting the
Conservative Party before the country.
Given the Prime Minister admitted she does not have the numbers
for her deal. Will she accept today that her deal is dead and
that the House should not have its time wasted giving the same
answer for a third time?
The Prime Minister has succeeded in unifying two sides against
her deal. The CBI and TUC’s unprecedented joint statement last
week demanded a plan B, which protects jobs, workers and
industry.
Has the Prime Minister got their plan B?
The Government has failed and let the people down whether they
voted leave or remain.
The country cannot afford to continue in this Tory crisis.
It’s time for Parliament to take control and that’s why later
today we will be backing the amendment in the name of the Rt Hon
member for West Dorset.
You made it clear last week Mr Speaker that for the Prime
Minister to bring a deal back there must be significant changes.
There are none.
Rather than trying to engineer a way to bring back the same
twice-rejected deal will the Prime Minister instead allow rather
than fight plans for indicative votes?
She cannot both accept her deal does not have the numbers and
stand in the way of finding an alternative.
It is ridiculous to suggest that Parliament taking control is
“overturning democratic institutions”. It is Parliament doing its
democratic job.
And so will she agree to abide by the outcome of these votes?
On behalf of the we will continue with cross
party discussions to find a way forward and I thank Hon and Rt
Hon members who have met with me and colleagues.
I believe there is support in this House for a deal based on an
alternative that protects jobs and the economy through a customs
union and full single market access and allows us to continue to
benefit from participation in vital agencies and security
measures.
If the government refuses to accept this we will support measures
for a public vote to stop a no deal or chaotic Tory deal.
The Government has had over two years to find a solution and has
failed.
It's time we put an end to this move on from the chaos and
failure and begin to clean up the mess. It’s time for this
parliament to work together and agree on a Plan B.
If she is brave the Prime Minister would help facilitate this.
If not this parliament must send a clear message in the coming
days. Mr Speaker I hope where the Government has failed this
House can succeed.
