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THE UK PRIME Minister has been warned that dozens of members of her government will resign if they’re banned from voting for a plan to stop a no-deal Brexit.
It comes as a cohort of Conservatives are seeking to delay Brexit altogether by extending Article 50 if it remains impossible for the House of Commons to agree a way forward on Brexit, the Times reported this morning.
The group is headed by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has told Number 10 that MPs should be allowed a free vote on plans that would clear the way for Article 50 to be extended.
Article 50 is the mechanism through which the UK is leaving the EU, but the option remains open to extend that leaving date of 29 March until parliament is able to ratify some sort of deal agreed with the EU.
Theresa May faced the House of Commons to deliver her much-anticipated “plan B” on Brexit yesterday, following the resounding defeat to her deal last week.
She said she plans to return to Brussels to discuss changes to the deal she agreed with EU leaders last month, despite an overwhelming rejection of the draft text by MPs last week.
“I believe we can make progress” on the so-called Irish backstop, she told parliament, adding that she would be consulting with MPs about possible changes and “then take the conclusions of those discussions back to the EU”.
Addressing the House of Commons, she said after last week’s vote it became “clear the government’s approach had to change”.
The UK prime minister ruled out holding a second referendum, as it would create a concerning precedent. May added that it could “damage social cohesion by undermining faith in our democracy”.
Although there are widespread concerns about the UK leaving with no deal on 29 March, May also appeared to rule out extending Article 50 yesterday, saying it would go against the referendum result.
Among those who could resign if she refuses to rule out a no deal are, Business Minister Richard Harrington, Culture Minister Margot James, Defence Minister Tobias Elwood and Justice Secretary David Gauke, the Times reported.
Minister Amber Rudd has told May to expect up to 40 resignations if she refuses to allow MPs a free vote on blocking a no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister will face a series of votes next week where MPs from varying factions in the House of Commons will try to force a change of direction regarding Brexit.
With reporting from Christina Finn
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I will miss Melissa more than Sean
@CKC: she die?
@Quentin Moriarty: No
@Quentin Moriarty: she had one party trick …
@Greg Blake: was that the brilliant bridesmaids part?
He’s on his way out and still continues to lie.
He should team up with Chemical Ali and do a corporate lectures tour on defending the indefensible
I struggle to think of many people more odious and smug than Hannity.
@The Guru: one of the few faces that trigger my urge to punch it repeatedly until that smug look is knocked off.
“he’s an unbelievably gracious person”. “He’s always thinking of others”.
Are you sure you know who the current president even is?
His comedic interventions will be missed. Luckily with have Kelly-Anne (aka meth Barbie) to keep us enterained
Think Sarah Huckabee will be better taking on the hostile media as press spokesperson …How long more can they ask 70% of their questions on Russia….
@John003: as long as it takes.
@Deborah Behan: Or their rating do down….Whichever is first….
@John003: maybe, just maybe if they got an answer that wasn’t proven to be untrue they’d stop asking the same question. Think about it, every answer on Russia has changed repeatedly. “do you think Russia interfered in the election?” alternating “no” “yes” “maybe” “no” “with others” “Putin says no”. Another great example is Don Jr changing his story about the meeting with what he was told was a Kremlin lawyer on a daily basis which has now changed to him not talking anymore after it was revealed that there were up to 8 people in the meeting contrary to his statements saying there were 4. If they consistently gave the same answer there would be no need for clarification
@Paul Quirke: Ha ha. I call her Goebbels Barbie!
He forget the second C in cooks… just before the k there….
@Brian Guilfoyle: good one Brian.
@Brian Guilfoyle: coocks?
Fox News talking about media bias. Does it get any more surreal?
Too many Cooks and no ingredients,and no recipe,Lurching from one policy and legislative failure to another ,mired in intrigue with dubious people,let’s welcome him to Ireland he’ll fit right in
Not a shred of evidence to prove what psycho Trump and Spicer says is fake news.
@JimmyMc: One story means all media systematically makes up facts? Fox News is the real perpetrator of fake news.
@JimmyMc: one story where people had to resign and the victim of the story himself said “everyone makes mistakes” as he was graciously accepting their apology.
For a second there I was astounded- I thought it read ‘crooks’. Now that would have been a popcorn munching story!
Ill miss her. Such entertainment.
What a clown of a man still spewing out bulls#1t about fake media. I’d rather fake media any day over a nutcase president
Too many crooks more like…
think he meant too many crooks..
What else do you expect from liars and conmen, you’d hardly expect them to say they’re honest and provide real facts 99% of the time. When you’ve got idiots, stupid enough to vote for you and think you’re a God. You’re going to milk it, for what it’s worth and laugh at your supporters behind their backs.
Too many crooks or cooks?
have your say