I seek leave to propose that the House should debate a
specific and important matter that should have urgent
consideration, namely the revocation of the UK’s article 50
notification to the European Union.
As we know, the Brexit landscape is shifting literally by
the day, but there have been some significant events
recently that I believe have altered the direction of
travel. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition
have been locked for six weeks in cross-party talks that
have facilitated no resolution whatsoever. The Prime
Minister has now stated that she will bring back her
withdrawal agreement for a fourth time on 3 June, and all
indications are that it will fail again. That being the
case, we know that the Conservative party has stated that
it will then look for a new leader, and that means a new
Prime Minister for this Government. The suggestion is that
it is likely that that will be a hard Brexiteer, and a
Member of Parliament and a Prime Minister who may take this
country towards no deal, or leaving on World Trade
Organisation terms. Just when the country was breathing a
sigh of relief and thinking the danger of no deal had
passed—the House has voted twice to ensure it does not
happen—recent events have dangerously reignited that
possibility.
I remind everybody that no deal means no transition period,
which would mean, the day after leaving, no rules on
tariffs and goods, no free movement of people, no security
arrangements, and goods—medicines, for example—not being
regulated as today. It would end overnight. This would
constitute a grave act of harm to our economy, our security
and the health of the nation. If it has not been possible
to secure a confirmatory vote by 31 October, the House will
have to seriously consider revocation of article 50 to stop
the clock and prevent a no-deal Brexit. Mr Speaker, I would
be grateful to hear your view on whether we should have
this emergency debate.
