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Tory rebels say Theresa May is 'tin-eared' on Brexit as they threaten to inflict double defeat in Commons

Steven Swinford, deputy political editor 13 NOVEMBER 2017 • 1:07PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/13/tory-rebels-says-theresa-may-tin-eared-brexit-threaten-inflict/

Tory rebels have accused Theresa May of being “tin-eared and tone deaf” over Brexit and are considering joining forces with Labour to inflict two defeats on the Government in the Commons.

The Commons is on Tuesday expected to debate and vote on a Government amendment which formally commits Britain to leaving the European Union at 11pm on 29 March, 2019.

The Prime Minister also warned rebels in an article in The Telegraph that she will not "tolerate" attempts to "stop or delay Brexit" as the EU withdrawal bill makes its way through Parliament.

It prompted a furious backlash from Tory rebels, who said they believe that the Government's amendment to the EU withdrawal bill will tie Britain's hands and could hinder the chances of getting a good deal.

Labour is also considering voting against the plans amid concerns that the amendment is being used by Mrs May to shore up her position.

Nicky Morgan, a Tory MP and former Education Secretary, told BBC Two’s Daily Politics: “Ministers and those who think Brexit is a great idea need to stop worrying about the result of the referendum.

“The result is there, it has happened. This country is going to leave the EU. The Prime Minister’s tone deaf, tin-eared article in The Telegraph was guaranteed to deepen divisions in the Conservative Party rather than heal them.

“Those who know about negotiating strategies say it’s a very bad idea to put a hard date on the bill.”

Dominic Grieve, a Tory MP and former Attorney General, described the Government’s amendment as “incoherent and thoroughly stupid”.

Labour is also tabling an amendment to the EU withdrawal bill calling for the European Court of Justice to retain its role during a Brexit transition period.

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit Secretary, said that Labour would allow the European Court of Justice to retain some of its influence over UK law after Brexit.

He said he was “open” to the court having continued jurisdiction over British matters in the future. Theresa May has made ending the jurisdiction of the ECJ in Britain a “red line”. Tory rebels are understood to be considering giving the amendment their support.

Iain Duncan Smith, a eurosceptic Tory MP and former Conservative leader, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Staying inside the Court of Justice would actually be tantamount to staying within the European Union."

At a glance | Brexit roadblocks

Three particularly thorny issues stand in the way of the European Union and United Kingdom progressing with Brexit negotiations:

The “Brexit bill” – the EU commits funding to projects on a five-year basis. While a member, the UK signed off on these budgets. The EU regards this as a financial commitment, while the UK says it will not benefit from these projects.

Citizens’ rights – Brexit will end the treaties guaranteeing the legal status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens living and working in the EU. Both sides want to resolve this issue, but cannot agree on who should arbitrate disputes. The UK is unwilling to accept the continued supremacy of the European Court of Justice.

The Irish border – Northern Ireland will be exiting the European Union, but the Republic of Ireland will remain. Post-Brexit, the two countries face the prospect of a fortified land border, due to customs and immigration regulations. Both sides are wary of derailing the Northern Ireland peace process.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/13/tory-rebels-says-theresa-may-tin-eared-brexit-threaten-inflict/