BREXIT SABOTAGE: Lib Dem lords in SECRET camp bed plot to block Article 50
SECRET plans have been drawn up by the Liberal Democrats to delay triggering Article 50 in the Lords – and they have ordered camp beds to ensure peers are on hand to do so.
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The Lib Dems plan to site 90 of the beds in Parliament so that their members in the Upper House can stay overnight there.
They hope that by thwarting Theresa May’s Brexit plans, they can force her to attend the European Union’s 60th anniversary celebrations on March 25.
This would mean the Prime Minister would have to trigger Brexit at the event in person, and face down the leaders of the 27 EU countries.
Lib Dem lords hope to delay Theresa May's triggering of Article 50
Mrs May had not planned to attend as the British Government sees no point in being involved in planning the future of the bloc.
She is determined to push ahead with Article 50, which starts the process of quitting the EU, in the next few weeks despite the Lords inflicting her first parliamentary defeat over Brexit on Wednesday.
But she could face a Tory rebellion in the Commons that ties her hands in negotiations, as well as a last-ditch attempt at sabotage by the Lords.
Liberal Democrats want the Prime Minister to face the EU leaders in person
Ministers hope MPs will strip out any amendments added by peers to dictate the terms of Britain’s negotiations when the Bill returns to the Commons on March 13.
We think it highly unlikely we can stop her triggering Article 50
Remainers hope to keep the changes in a stand-off between Lords and the Commons.
A senior Lib Dem strategist said: “While we think it highly unlikely we can stop her triggering Article 50 altogether, the plan is to try and delay it so that Mrs May is forced to face down European leaders directly and begin the formal divorce proceedings in person at the Treaty of Rome celebrations – something she is clearly keen to avoid.”
Peers voted on Wednesday to amend the Bill and force the Government to guarantee the post-Brexit rights of 3.3 million EU citizens living in the UK. However, the EU refuses to discuss the rights of the 1.2 million Britons resident in other member states.
Hilary Benn said EU citizen in the UK don't want to be used as bargaining chips
Ministers pledged to overturn the vote when the legislation goes back to the Commons. This will mean the debate could bounce back and forth between chambers until one side gives in.
Hilary Benn, chairman of the Commons’ committee on Exiting the EU, said: “EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU are aware of the forthcoming negotiations but do not want to be used as bargaining chips.”
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Later this week the Government could face a second defeat on another Opposition amendment, which would require Parliament to be given a “meaningful” vote on Britain’s final EU withdrawal. The Government has promised a vote but opponents fear if there is no deal the UK will just leave, without Parliament able to intervene.
Yesterday a Lords report said Britain was under no legal obligation to pay the EU after Brexit. It said a £50million demand did not stand up under international law.