Mayday: PM delays crucial parliament vote on her Brexit deal
Theresa May has confirmed a highly-anticipated vote on her Brexit deal will be delayed, following threats of a huge rebellion from within the Conservative Party.
The Prime Minister confirmed the delay in the House of Commons this afternoon, saying she believed she could still win a vote after winning further reassurance on the Irish backstop.
“It is clear that while there is broad support for many aspects of the deal, on one issue, of the northern Irish backstop, there remains widespread and deep concern,” she said, amid interruptions from laughing MPs.
May told a packed Commons: “There is no deal available that does not include the backstop.”
She said she would speak to EU leaders later this week, to discussion further possible changes to the backstop.
“It represents the best deal that is actually negotiable with the EU,” she said, saying she would seek “further assurance” on the backstop.
She criticised proponents of a second referendum, a no-deal Brexit of a Norway-style deal with EEA alignment, saying they had to “be honest” about the consequences of their demands.
“If we will the ends, we must also will the means,” she said.
EU leaders include Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said further negotiations on the deal are not possible.
Reports that May planned to pull the vote were savaged by leaders from across the political spectrum, with DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeting: “Too much time has been wasted. Need a better deal. Disappointed it has taken so long for Prime Minister to listen.”
Corbyn said the UK no longer had “a functioning government”, while Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused May of “pathetic cowardice”.
May faced an almost-certain defeat in the vote, which over 100 Conservative MPs and the DUP, which props up her government, had vowed to vote against. Over the past few days, there have been growing calls for the PM to postpone the vote, and to instead head back to Brussels to speak European leaders, who are set to meet this Thursday.
Business groups react
Business groups were united in their criticism of the delay, saying it added to uncertainty for businesses.
Ian Wright, the chief executive officer of the Food and Drink Federation, said: “The confidence of the business community in political decision-makers is hanging by a thread.”
“Every political decision takes us closer to the catastrophe of no-deal. Each extra day of uncertainty diverts time, effort and investment. It undermines growth and employment. And as we have seen from the weakness of Sterling, constrains businesses’ ability to plan and export,” he said.
His comments were echoed by Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors, who said: “Business leaders may understand the political reasons for the delay, but today’s announcement will be viewed by most as another extension of the frustration and uncertainty.”
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, added: "Businesses are clear that time is rapidly running out. With just over 100 days to go until 29 March, many are already enacting contingency plans in the absence of clarity from Westminster. Even basic business planning for next year has become difficult, if not impossible, for many firms and their investors."
Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of business lobby group, the CBI, said: "This is yet another blow for companies desperate for clarity. Investment plans have been paused for two and a half years. Unless a deal is agreed quickly, the country risks sliding towards a national crisis. Politicians on both sides of the Channel need to show leadership. No one can afford to head into Christmas with the threat of no-deal costing jobs and hitting living standards."