PM May's Brexit plans set for defeat, teeing up showdown

British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans faced rejection by Parliament's House of Lords on Monday, teeing up a showdown with rebel lawmakers later in the week which could rock her minority government.

Conservative party rebel MPs want a "meaningful vote" on the Brexit deal, giving Parliament the power to send May back to the negotiation table if they don't like the agreement.

This would stop the government leaving Europe with no deal, but Brexit supporters said this weakens Britain's hand in negotiations.

Ministers are seeking approval for the final wording of the legislation that will end Britain's membership of the European Union next year, but have fallen into a bitter row with pro-European lawmakers who want Parliament to have a say in the exit process if talks in Brussels fail to reach an acceptable deal.

The row threatens May's authority over her divided Conservative Party, and underlines the delicate balancing act she has to pull off to keep those who want a "softer" Brexit onside, without upsetting those in favor of a clean break.

The House of Lords will debate different proposals for a so-called "meaningful" vote - the role that Parliament will play if lawmakers reject the exit deal May negotiates with the EU, or if she fails to agree an exit deal at all.

On Wednesday, amendments on the legislation were scheduled to return again to the Commons, where May faces the possibility of defeat over a meaningful vote.

The rebels were angered after a government amendment offered Parliament the opportunity only to vote on a "neutral motion", if a deal is rejected.

It would not be possible to amend the motion, meaning that MPs could not insert a requirement for May to go back to the negotiating table or extend the Brexit transition.

In an interview broadcast on Sunday, May rejected the idea she had double-crossed her rebels.

"I did indeed meet a group of my fellow MPs," she told the BBC. "I listened to their concerns and I undertook to consider their concerns.

"And the next day I stood up in prime minister's questions and said I'd put an amendment down in the House of Lords. I've done exactly that. We recognize the concerns people have about the role of Parliament."

She added: "Parliament cannot tie the hands of government in negotiations."

jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily 06/19/2018 page12)