A CROSS-PARTY bid to avoid a no-deal Brexit which has seen 21 Tory MPs including former Chancellors Kenneth Clarke and Phillip Hammond sacked from the party has been blasted by the Vale’s MPs.
Both Nigel Huddleston and Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin attacked the bill, which looks set to delay Brexit until at least the end of January, despite it winning support in the House of Commons ahead of its debate in the House of Lords.
It would also prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal unless a withdrawal agreement is secured – or ‘no deal’ is approved in Parliament.
Mr Johnson has pledged to leave the EU without a deal by October 31, if necessary – but claims his first priority is to secure a withdrawal agreement with Brussels.
Speaking after the so-called ‘Rebel Alliance’ won the vote on Tuesday (September 3), Mr Hudldeston said the bill could jeopardise the Government’s commitment to leaving the European Union on October 31.
“It was a power grab which I could not accept and by MPs agreeing to an emergency debate it has allowed the opposition parties to take control of Parliamentary business,” the Mid Worcestershire MP said.
“I believe it will weaken Boris Johnson’s negotiating hand and will reduce the chances of the UK getting a good deal.
“The bill would tie the hands of the Prime Minister and could allow EU leaders to determine the length and conditions of an extension period, and with this in mind it would provide no impetus for the EU to negotiate a new deal before October 31 which is the goal of the Prime Minister.
“Securing a good deal is the absolute priority of both myself and the Prime Minister, I also believe it is important we deliver on the referendum result, in which 58 per cent of my constituents voted to leave.
“In 2016 I said I would respect the referendum result irrespective of which side won. Leave won. I fully intend to honour that pledge,” he added.
Mrs Baldwin echoed his comments and said: “I don’t support any further extension to the Brexit process. A majority of British people – and a majority of people in West Worcestershire – voted to leave in 2016, and it is my desire to see this democratic process respected.
“Most of all, I want all MPs to support a deal and I don’t want to see our negotiators hands’ tied by ruling out a no-deal altogether.
“I hope that we are swiftly able to continue making progess towards a deal with the European Union to leave in an orderly way.”
