Adding to Tory woes tonight, Philip Hammond will warn Boris Johnson and other Brexiteer party leadership candidates that they have ‘no mandate’ for No Deal
Cabinet ministers face a showdown today over how to get Theresa May’s Brexit deal through at the fourth attempt.
Mrs May is expected to warn ministers they may have to agree to a temporary customs union, which would hamper Britain’s ability to strike trade deals with non-EU countries, to secure enough Labour votes to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill next month.
Adding to Tory woes tonight, Philip Hammond will warn Boris Johnson and other Brexiteer party leadership candidates that they have ‘no mandate’ for No Deal.
The Chancellor will claim that leaving on October 31 without a deal amounts to ‘hijacking the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards’.
During the Cabinet meeting today, ministers will debate whether to allow Labour’s demand for the UK to continue to accept new EU laws on workers’ rights and environmental standards after Brexit.
Allies of the PM fear the potential concessions are so significant that Leave ministers such as Liam Fox could walk out in protest if they are approved.
But with David Davis and other Eurosceptic MPs hardening their opposition to Mrs May’s deal, some ministers believe the only option to pass the legislation is to seek Labour support.
A bruising discussion is also expected on the future of No Deal preparations in the event that Mrs May’s plans are defeated.
Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay is expected to warn that the Bill’s defeat would leave the UK facing the likelihood of No Deal.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid revealed yesterday that he had ordered his officials to step up preparations for No Deal.
In a speech on security he said: ‘A comprehensive and legally binding partnership on security is still our preferred option.
‘But we have also worked hard to prepare for a No Deal scenario. Contingency plans are already in place to move police and judicial co-operation on to tried and tested non-EU mechanisms such as Interpol.’
Yesterday, former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey became the first leadership
