Rochdale MP says Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit delay is ‘attempt to get Parliament to back unpopular deal’

Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd has said that Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement of a meaningful vote next month to delay the UK’s departure from the EU is an ‘attempt’ to Parliament’s backing for her unpopular deal.

Brexit has been delayed whilst Mrs May works towards a deal for the UK ahead of a scheduled leave date of 29 March 2019.

The prime minister will now put her withdrawal agreement to a meaningful vote by 12 March.

If that fails, MPs will be offered two separate votes: to vote on no deal, or delay Brexit and extend article 50, where she will need to request an extension from the European Union.

Mr Lloyd said: “Once again, there was another day of disappointment from Theresa May when she failed to put her ‘My deal or no deal’ to the House of Commons. People know that there is no majority for a no deal Brexit which would be disastrous for the UK and her deal has already been massively rejected by Parliament.

“The proposed delay to Brexit by Theresa May is just another attempt to bounce Parliament into backing her universally unpopular deal.

“Labour is determined to put forward its own Brexit proposals to the House of Commons following on from the ‘meaningful vote’ that has been promised on 12 March. 

“Then if that fails, rather than a bad deal or a no deal Brexit, we must return the decision to the British people.”

Mr Lloyd said he would support a second referendum over a bad deal, supporting Monday’s (25 February) announcement that Labour will back a second referendum on Brexit – almost three years after the country’s initial vote in favour of leaving the European Union (EU).

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126340/local-mps-not-willing-to-put-local-jobs-at-risk-over-bad-brexit-deal

The initial referendum on 23 June 2016 asking if the UK should leave the EU or remain saw more than 33.5 million votes cast across the UK with 51.89% of voters opting to leave.

Locally, 60% of Rochdale voters opted to leave.

Read more:

• Theresa May offers MPs Brexit delay vote - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47373996
• BBC's simple guide to Brexit - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46318565