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MPs set up new all-party group to combat ‘destructive’ hard Brexit | MPs set up new all-party group to combat ‘destructive’ hard Brexit |
(about 11 hours later) | |
MPs from all parties have formed a group to fight against a “destructive” hard Brexit, with former Tory minister Anna Soubry and former Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna among those leading the effort. | |
Politicians from the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, the Greens and Plaid Cymru have also signed up to lead the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations. | Politicians from the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, the Greens and Plaid Cymru have also signed up to lead the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations. |
The group wrote on Twitter: “We're working to secure the best and closest possible relationship with our EU partners in building a better UK and a better world.” | |
It is supported by various campaign groups including Best for Britain, a campaign by Gina Miller who won her court battle on Brexit, forcing MPs to vote before Theresa May could trigger Article 50. | It is supported by various campaign groups including Best for Britain, a campaign by Gina Miller who won her court battle on Brexit, forcing MPs to vote before Theresa May could trigger Article 50. |
The news comes days before Ms May publishes her Great Repeal Bill, which will transpose all EU legislation into British law. | |
MPs will debate the legislation this autumn, potentially providing the alliance an opportunity to intervene. | MPs will debate the legislation this autumn, potentially providing the alliance an opportunity to intervene. |
Ms May has vowed to leave the European single market and the customs union, with slogans such as “Brexit means Brexit”. | Ms May has vowed to leave the European single market and the customs union, with slogans such as “Brexit means Brexit”. |
Yet the new alliance’s aims include not leaving the EU without an agreement on the terms and ensuring that, during negotiations, “all options are kept on the table”. | |
The aims appears contrary to the strategy of Ms May, who said that “no deal is better than a bad deal” and that of and senior ministers, who compared negotiating Brexit to buying a house. | The aims appears contrary to the strategy of Ms May, who said that “no deal is better than a bad deal” and that of and senior ministers, who compared negotiating Brexit to buying a house. |
Mr Umunna, who tabled an unsuccessful amendment to the Queen’s Speech last month to garner support for staying in the single market, said: “We won’t accept MPs being treated as spectators in the Brexit process, when we should be on the pitch as active players representing our constituents. | Mr Umunna, who tabled an unsuccessful amendment to the Queen’s Speech last month to garner support for staying in the single market, said: “We won’t accept MPs being treated as spectators in the Brexit process, when we should be on the pitch as active players representing our constituents. |
“We will be fighting in parliament for a future relationship with the EU that protects our prosperity and rights at work, and which delivers a better and safer world.” | “We will be fighting in parliament for a future relationship with the EU that protects our prosperity and rights at work, and which delivers a better and safer world.” |
The other politicians leading the alliance are Jo Swinson, deputy leader of the Lib Dems, Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP and Europe spokesperson at Westminster, Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, and Welsh MP Jonathan Plaid. | |
The Great Repeal Bill on Thursday aims to reverse the 1972 European Communities Act which saw Britain become a member state of the EU and adopt EU laws. Critics worry the transposition of laws will include the watering down of workers' rights and environmental standards, as well as providing a back door for deregulation. | The Great Repeal Bill on Thursday aims to reverse the 1972 European Communities Act which saw Britain become a member state of the EU and adopt EU laws. Critics worry the transposition of laws will include the watering down of workers' rights and environmental standards, as well as providing a back door for deregulation. |
Some lawmakers will urge the Prime Minister to restrain from wielding so-called Henry VIII powers in the bill, which would allow Government to change or scrap EU legislation without holding a vote or debating the issue with Parliament. |
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