Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator, admitted he is “very pleased” after the Commons took control of Britain’s EU exit. Fellow MEP and Brexit steering committee member Philippe Lamberts lashed out at Mrs May, accusing here of trying to defy parliament by leading Britain into a no-deal Brexit. MPs will pack the Commons today for a series of indicative votes as they mount a Brexit insurrection against the Prime Minister.
Mr Verhofstadt said: “We see at the moment a real Brexit revolt. Until now all the Commons votes have been against something.
“This is the first time that there is a vote for something, cross-party co-operation. We have long called for that.”
He added: “It is possible now to work for cross-party proposals and an alliance that could change the political declaration fundamentally.
“It is very important that this cross-party co-operation will start and I hope it will lead to a proposals that can be backed by majority.”
MPs defied the Prime Minister to push for a series of indicative votes that will show what kind of Brexit Parliament supports.
The EU is set to change the political declaration if MPs vote for a change in policy during Wednesday’s indicative votes.
Britain’s future relationship with the EU is covered in the declaration.
It calls for both the EU and Britain to “build and improve on the single customs territory” as part of the backstop against a hard Irish border.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said Brussels could implement the changes if MPs show support for a permanent Customs union.
Mr Lamberts, leader of the Green MEPs, blasted Mrs May’s leadership as Brexit chaos rages through Westminster.
He said: ”Theresa May might be tempted to play scorched earth policy and say whatever Parliament wants I won’t do it.
”She must be totally devoid of the basic human skills you need to be a political leader.”
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn is poised to whip MPs to support the softest Brexit option.
The Labour leader is set to back the ‘Norway-style’ Brexit proposed by ex-Conservative minister Nick Boles.
Under the plan, Britain would stay in the single market and strike a customs arrangement with the EU.
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis said Mr Boles’ plan was “the worst of all worlds”.
