Boris Johnson could give MPs an early vote on his Brexit deal BEFORE the crucial EU summit to show Brussels his plans have Commons support
BORIS Johnson could give MPs an early vote on his Brexit deal BEFORE the crucial EU summit to show Brussels his plans have Commons support.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the PM was “considering” a poll after he was asked to do so by MPs last week.
EARLY VOTE
Mr Johnson told the Commons on Thursday he would “reflect” on the idea – which would see Parliament vote before the European Council meeting on October 17 – when grilled over his Brexit plans.
Mr Barclay told the BBC’s Andrew Marr: “The Prime Minister was asked this question by Frank Field in the House of Commons this week and he said that he would consider that and would do so in due course.
“We are considering it. But there are two tests usually put to me by the EU – the first is whether we can agree a deal and the second is whether that deal is deliverable in the House of Commons.
We’re considering it… the key issue is to address what the deal itself is and in order to nail that down we need to get into the intensive negotiations with the Commission.
Stephen Barclay
“The key issue is to address what the deal itself is and in order to nail that down we need to get into the intensive negotiations with the commission.
“We do need to get into intensive negotiations on the text to clarify what the deal is because we until we know what that is and we set out the broad landing zone we can’t even get into the question of any discussions in Parliament.”
BORIS’ BRUSSELS BLAST
Mr Johnson faces a fight to save his Brexit deal after EU chiefs turned on the PM with blasts from Brussels and Dublin.
EU boss Donald Tusk said Brussels remains “open but unconvinced” about the ideas.
And Irish leader Leo Varadkar said the proposals “fall short in a number of aspects” and suggested there should be a second referendum on Brexit.
But despite Brussels’ cold approach, MPs have suggested there is a majority in Parliament to get behind it.
Members of the ERG including Steve Baker and Mark Francois have suggested they could vote for it.
We think it’s a good deal, delivers legally, security, for here… and our friends in Europe.
Brandon Lewis
And up to 30 Labour MPs are reported to be coming around – as the fear of a No Deal Brexit grows.
Last week Tory minister Brandon Lewis suggested that it was still Britain’s “final offer” but admitted that Boris could move if the EU put down proposals too.
He told the BBC: “We are open. I’ve got to say, to be frank, this is our clear final deal.
“We think it’s a good deal, delivers legally, security, for here… and our friends in Europe.
“This is the final deal, but we will see what our friends and partners come up with.”
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Under Mr Johnson’s new plan, Northern Ireland would follow EU rules on goods, food and livestock but remain part of the UK’s customs regime — with Belfast getting a veto on the set-up every four years.
It comes after The Sun revealed that Boris was preparing to offer Ireland a big money deal to seal an agreement – but they rejected it.
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