Politics

Brexit news latest: Withdrawal Agreement will come back to House of Commons next month, Downing Street says



Theresa May’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement will come back to the House of Commons in the week beginning June 3, Downing Street has said.

The government said it is seeking a “stable majority” for the bill to finally pass next month. MPs have defeated it three times so far this year.

The latest development comes after Mrs May met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for an hour of negotiations on Tuesday night. Labour stressed afterwards that “further movement” is needed from the government for it to receive Mr Corbyn’s backing.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “This evening the Prime Minister met the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons to make clear our determination to bring the talks to a conclusion and deliver on the referendum result to leave the EU.

Theresa May leaves Parliament following talks with Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday night (Aaron Chown/PA)

“We will therefore be bringing forward the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the week beginning June 3.

“It is imperative we do so then, if the UK is to leave the EU before the summer Parliamentary recess.”

The spokesman added of Mrs May’s talks with Mr Corbyn: “Talks this evening between the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition were both useful and constructive.

“Tomorrow, talks will continue at an official level as we seek the stable majority in Parliament that will ensure the safe passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and the UK’s swift exit from the EU.”

Jeremy Corbyn pictured speaking at the Young Labour conference in Birmingham on Saturday (Ben Birchall/PA)

In a statement, a Labour was less positive about the talks, saying: “The Labour leader set out the Shadow Cabinet’s concerns about the Prime Minister’s ability to deliver on any compromise agreement.

“In particular he raised doubts over the credibility of government commitments, following statements by Conservative MPs and Cabinet ministers seeking to replace the Prime Minister.

“Jeremy Corbyn made clear the need for further movement from the government, including on entrenchment of any commitments.

“The Prime Minister’s team agreed to bring back documentation and further proposals tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Brexit hardliner Steve Baker, deputy chair of the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs, lashed out at Downing Street’s announcement, tweeting: “What is Government thinking?”

And the People’s Vote campaign said: “This desperate Government look set to make yet another futile attempt to bounce Parliament into backing their unpopular Brexit deal.”

After a marathon Cabinet meeting earlier on Tuesday, ministers had agreed to continue the cross-party efforts to break the impasse – but stressed it was “imperative” for a Brexit deal to get through Parliament by the summer recess.

With Mrs May’s future linked to the passage of a Brexit deal, getting the legislation through Parliament could also pave the way for her departure from Number 10.

The Withdrawal Agreement will go before the Commons in the same week US president Donald Trump is due to make a state visit to the UK.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.