THE GOVERNMENT’s decision to propose a vote on delaying the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union has been backed by Worcester’s MP who has urged MPs to ‘come together and back a deal’.
Speaking after the Prime Minister offered votes on leaving the EU without a deal and on extending Article 50 by a short time, Robin Walker told the Observer Mrs May’s move would ensure the House of Commons had a meaningful vote on the terms of Britain’s exit by March 12.
And while the city MP repeated his opposition to the UK crashing out without a deal, Mr Walker urged his colleagues to back any revised deal which would come before the house.
“I think she made it absolutely clear there will be a meaningful vote by March 12 and she has also made it clear colleagues will be able to vote for no deal or for a short extension to Article 50,” he told the Observer.
The Prime Minister said she would put her withdrawal agreement – including any changes she has agreed with the EU – to a meaningful vote.
“Let me be clear, I do not want to see Article 50 extended,” Mrs May told MPs.
Any extension should not go beyond the end of June and would almost certainly have to be a ‘one-off’, she added. If she fails to win support for her deal, MPs will be offered two separate votes.
One, on the following day, on whether MPs support a no-deal Brexit – so the UK would ‘only leave without a deal on March 29 if there is explicit consent in the House for that outcome.’
If that fails, MPs will get a vote by March 14 to request an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process to delay EU withdrawal beyond March 29.
Mr Walker, who serves as Brexit minister, said he hoped any delay would be short to allow for negotiations between the European Union and Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC to reach a conclusion.
“I think it provides an opportunity for Parliament to grant a short extension if needed to ensure we come to a conclusion with our colleagues in Brussels,” Mr Walker said.
“Ultimately, we need to get a deal which gets the support of the House of Commons. We must secure the changes demanded by the House earlier this month while fully respecting our obligations as Parliamentarians to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland and respect the terms of the Belfast Agreement.”
“I believe explicitly I don’t want to see a no deal exit because I believe it would be bad for our businesses,” he added.
