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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom

Brexit: MPs unveil new plan to FORCE delay - as indicative votes set for round 3

MPs today unveiled a new plan to FORCE Theresa May to delay Brexit after their "Brexit: What has happened in indicative votes drama - and what happens now?" were left in tatters.

Labour's Yvette Cooper made the bombshell next move after the House of Commons voted down all four alternative options to the Prime Minister's deal.

The result - which failed to approve soft Brexit by just 3 votes - meant Parliament was deadlocked despite two rounds of "indicative voting" with MPs in control.

So Ms Cooper has now shifted her focus to a dramatic bid to delay Brexit - in order to block No Deal.

She and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin have published a cross-party Bill that would force the PM to delay the April 12 Brexit date to avoid No Deal.

Usually it takes weeks, months or even years for a Bill to clear Parliament.

Instead the MPs intend to force their Bill through ALL its stages in the Commons tomorrow - culminating in votes at 7pm (on the second reading) and 10pm (on the third reading).

No Deal Brexit: Leaked cabinet letter reveals 10% price hikes and security chaos

Brexit: Philip Hammond 'to urge Theresa May's Cabinet' to back second referendum 

It will then go to the House of Lords where its backers hope it can pass in a single day on Monday before returning to the Commons for any changes and receiving Royal Assent.

Meanwhile the Mirror understands MPs are due to hold a THIRD round of "indicative votes" on Brexit this coming Monday.

The two processes will run at the same time as each other.

The Bill has to be rushed through if it is to be passed in time for next Wednesday’s EU summit.

That prospect enraged Brexiteer Tory MP Sir Bill Cash, who said: “This is a reprehensible procedure in the context of this vitally important issue of our leaving the EU.

“It is unconstitutional. It is inconceivable that we should be presented with a Bill which could be rammed through in one day.”

But the House of Commons Speaker indicated he would allow it.

Speaker John Bercow indicated he'll allow the Bill to pass all its stages in one day (REUTERS)

John Bercow told MPs: “Although this is of course an unusual state of affairs, it is not unknown for a Bill to be pushed through the House in one day.”

The timetable is all dependent on MPs approving a “business motion” tomorrow, once again wrestling control of the agenda from Theresa May. 

Ms Cooper, chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said: "We are now in a really dangerous situation with a serious and growing risk of No Deal in 10 days’ time.

“The Prime Minister has a responsibility to prevent that happening. She needs to put forward a proposal, including saying how long an extension she thinks we need to sort things out."

Ms Cooper said the indicative votes process was not dead entirely, telling Sky News "there should be the possibility to have further discussion, to have further votes".

But she said without an extension, there won't be time to implement the decisions anyway so "we need to prioritise" getting the Bill through.

“If the Government won’t act urgently, then Parliament has a responsibility to try to ensure that happens even though we are right up against the deadline," she said.

 Brexit: EU says UK is facing the 'abyss' with No Deal 'more likely by the day'

Yvette Cooper said: "We are now in a really dangerous situation with a serious and growing risk of No Deal in 10 days’ time" (Getty Images)

Brexit: Michel Barnier accuses Farage and Brexiteers of trying to destroy the EU 

“Parliament has tried to jam into two days a process of finding consensus that I wish the Prime Minister had started 2 years ago.

"But right now nothing has been agreed. So that means that whatever happens in the next few days, the UK needs an extension beyond 12 April if we are to avoid the damage and chaos of No Deal.

“For the sake of jobs, public services and our national security we need to avert no deal.”

Tory Sir Oliver Letwin added: "This is a last-ditch attempt to prevent our country being exposed to the risks inherent in a no deal exit.

"We realise this is difficult. But it is definitely worth trying."

It came as EU chiefs warned the UK is Brexit: EU says UK is facing the 'abyss' with No Deal 'more likely by the day' with a No Deal looking more likely by the day.

Brexit shambles continues as MPs reject all alternatives yet again

Brexit: What is Common Market 2.0? Norway Plus model explained 

Guy Verhofstadt and Michel Barnier sounded the alarm after MPs Brexit shambles continues as MPs reject all alternatives yet again - leaving Britain in Brexit deadlock.

A customs union lost by 3 votes; the Brexit: What is Common Market 2.0? Norway Plus model explained lost by 21 votes; a second referendum lost by 12 votes and revoking Article 50 lost by 101 votes.

Theresa May Brexit: EU says UK is facing the 'abyss' with No Deal 'more likely by the day' this morning to discuss her next steps.

She must choose either delaying Brexit or crashing out without an agreement by the April 12 deadline.

27 EU leaders will be summoned to an emergency summit in eight days' time to discuss delaying Brexit.

But EU chiefs today warned such a "long" delay would not be approved without a clear new plan from the UK.

And not only has the UK failed to draw up a new plan - it doesn't even know if it wants to ask for a delay yet.

Tory Brexiteer slammed for bringing up Nick Boles' cancer in TV interview

Michel Barnier of the EU has warned No Deal is looking more likely by the day (STEPHANIE LECOCQ/EPA-EFE/REX)

Brexit: How did my MP vote on second referendum to 'confirm' final deal? 

Theresa May is expected to put her three-times-defeated Brexit plan before MPs yet again in the coming days.

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit chief, warned last night: "A hard Brexit becomes nearly inevitable.

"On Wednesday, the UK has a last chance to break the deadlock or face the abyss.”

European Commission Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said no deal "becomes day after day more likely".

Brexit: What has happened in indicative votes drama - and what happens now? 

DWP Secretary Amber Rudd arriving for today's four-hour Cabinet marathon (SWNS)

Brexit indicative vote results in FULL - breakdown of MPs' votes to reject options 

He added: "The UK may ask for another extension. Such an extension would carry significant risks for the EU.

"Therefore a strong justification would be needed."

Long delay or No Deal, Theresa May is likely to face a torrent of resignations whichever option she chooses.

Former minister David Davis said if the Cabinet chooses a long delay it would be seen as a "route" to stop Brexit, adding of the Conservative Party: "It would tear it apart."

Last night Tory Nick Boles quit the Conservative Party on the floor of the Commons after his plan for Common Market 2.0 - also called Norway Plus - failed to pass.

Nick Boles MP quits Conservative Party over Brexit in dramatic Commons walkout 

Stephen Barclay, Brexit Secretary arrives at Downing Street for today's Cabinet (SWNS)

With Brexit deadlocked, the Times reported Chancellor Philip Hammond Brexit: Philip Hammond 'to urge Theresa May's Cabinet' to back second referendum

Mrs May previously said she would not approve a delay as PM.

Yet No Deal Brexit: Leaked cabinet letter reveals 10% price hikes and security chaos warns a No Deal Brexit would bring catastrophe to much of the country - with 10% price hikes, a recession and direct rule in Northern Ireland.

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