Scots MPs seek end to Article 50
Scottish MPs from different parties are coming together to back a revised plan revoking Article 50.
Joanna Cherry, SNP, is heading the motion that advocates an extension to the Brexit bill if the UK is unable to reach a deal by 10 April. It also supports a no deal vote if the delay is not granted.
While it is up to the Speaker to decide which motions will be debated in Parliament, Ms. Cherry has said her proposal has been scheduled for Monday.
Ms. Cherry said: “We’re confident that that will be defeated, and the motion goes on to say that if the vote for no deal is defeated, the Government must revoke Article 50.”
The MP’s reworked version includes the promise of a public inquiry examining Britain’s future relationship with the EU. This would come into fruition if Article 50 were to be revoked.
Speaking yesterday on the Sunday Politics Scotland programme, she said: “I’ve worked very closely with some Labour MPs who didn’t feel able to support the way it was worded last time to craft it into a form that’s more palatable for them.
“I don’t know if Labour are going to whip for it yet, but I have been proactively approached by many Labour MPs who didn’t vote for it last time who want to support it this time round.”
Scottish Labour MP Paul Sweeney has voiced his support for Ms. Cherry’s proposal.
He said on Sunday Politics Scotland: “We’re sympathetic to it, but we’ll see what happens next week. I think it’s certainly a very sensible safeguard.”
He added: “It’s about building a coalition that is going to come together and actually establish a majority for a way forward in Parliament.
“We are clear that some of the compromise options around a customs union and Common Market 2.0, as it’s known, is a clear runner. But we also want to make sure that any deal is subject to a confirmatory public vote.”
Mr Sweeney also described an extension to Article 50 as being “inevitable”. He said: “The prospect of crashing out with no deal is just so unpalatable to anyone, even the government, in my opinion, that they wouldn’t entertain it.”
Westminster has yet to find any resolution when it comes to settling on a Brexit agreement. Although Theresa May’s pledge to quit if MPs supported her deal encouraged many Tory MPs, including Boris Johnson, to change their stance in support of the Prime Minister, she is struggling to get the DUPs on her side.
