MP: both motions respect referendum result and would bring certainty
Today in the House of Commons, MPs will consider the second day of ‘indicative votes’. At 8.00pm, MPs will indicate their support for the different Brexit options tabled by MPs. John Baron MP has tabled two motions (a and b). The former calls for the UK to leave the EU on 22nd May with an amended Withdrawal Agreement containing a unilateral UK right to exit the Northern Ireland backstop. The latter calls for the UK to leave the EU on 12th April (John having voted against extending the original Article 50 deadline of 29th March) with no deal if no Withdrawal Agreement has cleared the House of Commons. Once again, it will be up to Mr Speaker which motions are selected just before the debate begins at around 6.00pm.
John said,
“I continue to oppose the concept of indicative votes, but have tabled two motions so that the field is not ceded to remainers. The first reflects the majority support for the Brady Amendment, which gave the green light to the Withdrawal Agreement if a method for the UK of exiting the backstop could be included. The EU could write the textbook on eleventh-hour deals.”
“The other motion endorses the legal default position following the triggering of the Article 50 process in February 2017 by a majority of 384 votes – that is, if both sides can not agree to a deal then we leave on no deal/WTO terms. Although I voted against extending the original Article 50 deadline of 29th March, this would bring closure and certainty on 12th April.”
“Warnings of doom should be taken with a pinch of salt. The warnings before the referendum forecasting disaster by Christmas 2016 if we voted to leave the EU proved very wrong, and they are wrong now. Investment is about comparative advantage – corporation tax levels, labour market flexibility, and financial expertise are in aggregate more important that 3 – 5% average WTO tariffs. Our sound economic performance has come about even though we may be leaving the EU on no deal/WTO terms.”
“Both motions fully respect the outcome of the EU referendum, and if chosen by the Speaker I will speak to them in the debate to encourage other MPs to lend their support.”
Notes to Editors:
• In the previous ‘indicative votes’ last Wednesday, the Speaker chose John’s no deal motion, which was supported by 160 MPs.
John Baron will not post replies to any comments - to contact John please Click here or alternatively for a full list of contact details Click here