Labour has accused the government of “effectively subverting democracy” after an announcement of coming government business made no mention of any major Brexit-related legislation to be debated in the House of Commons.
Announcing the Commons schedule for the next fortnight, Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the house, gave no timings for the return of the EU withdrawal bill from the Lords, or any news on three other key Brexit-connected bills.
The inaction will reinforce the sense of a government gridlocked over the Brexit process, with no agreement in cabinet over a future customs deal with the EU, and speculation ministers might seek to delay decisions still further.
This has prompted speculation that a transition period could be extended, in part to allow more time for a new customs arrangement. On Thursday, Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former joint chief of staff, argued that this could happen, an idea immediately rejected by Downing Street.
The further delays on Brexit legislation reinforces the belief that ministers hope to avoid any Commons defeats by putting off any big decisions by MPs until the government has finalised its strategy for exiting the EU.
Instead of offering any progress on Brexit, the Commons timetable offers a series of general debates on subjects such as housing and homophobia. It brought accusations from Leadsom’s Labour shadow, Valerie Vaz, that the government was being cynical in trying to ward off rebellions.
The EU withdrawal bill, during which the Lords have inflicted 14 defeats on the government over amendments, has its third reading in the upper house next Wednesday.
However, Leadsom gave no information as to when the amendments would be considered again by MPs, when there would be a series of potentially crucial votes on areas including future trade and customs arrangements, and a final say for MPs on an eventual deal.
There was also no information about progress for the trade bill and customs bill – Leadsom said this would happen “in due course” – or when a promised bill to enshrine the departure agreement in UK law would be introduced.
“Can the leader confirm that the government is not being cynical and parking the trade and customs bills and the EU withdrawal bill, and introducing the legislation to enact EU law under the withdrawal and implementation bill, until after the negotiations are complete so as to avoid any rebellions?” Vaz said.
“This is unprecedented, the government is effectively subverting democracy. The government has said they want to extend the session of parliament, owing to heavy legislation, and yet not tabling any important legislation.”
Leadsom responded by saying that the withdrawal bill would come back to the Commons after its third reading in the Lords for the amendments to be “very closely” considered, but gave no date.
She said: “Other EU Brexit bills will be coming forward in due course also. There is no hold-up. As the honourable lady and all honourable members will appreciate, there are very complex negotiations under way, and it’s right that we bring forward these bills at the appropriate time, as indeed we will do.”
Speaking later, May’s spokesman said she was not concerned about running out of time for the withdrawal bill to make it through the Commons.
He said: “We’ll set out the timetable for the bill in the usual way. The house was clear when it voted on the bill for the first time, and the bill left the House of Commons in such a way, as to deliver the smooth Brexit which is in the interests of all parts of the UK.”
