Back the Brexit bill tomorrow or risk a chaotic and uncertain future, David Davis warns Labour MPs
The Brexit Secretary called on all politicians to put aside their differences and stop 'political point-scoring'
MPS must back the Brexit bill tomorrow in Parliament or risk an uncertain and chaotic future, David Davis has warned.
The Brexit Secretary called on all politicians to put aside their differences and stop “political point-scoring”.
On the eve of a crunch vote in Parliament tomorrow, he urged Labour MPs – and any Tories thinking of rebelling – to come together for the sake of the country.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph today, he said that any attempt to block the Bill would be an “attempt to thwart the democratic process”.
MPs will tomorrow vote on the legislation that will allow the Government to transfer all EU laws into UK law.
But Labour are set to oppose it because of plans to allow it to be waved through without the usual level of scrutiny.
Ministers want to use statutory instruments to get it past MPs without be changed, and Theresa May is preparing to flood Commons committees with her own MPs in another bend of the parliamentary rules.
There were rumblings among Tory MPs who were unhappy with the move, but Downing Street is convinced that they will have the numbers to ensure the vote passes.
Downing Street insisted the Government had a majority in the Commons, even though it needs the backing of 10 DUP MPs on key votes.
David Davis denied accusations of a power grab this morning.
“The Repeal Bill offers legal continuity,” he said.
He lashed out at the Opposition for not coming forward with any constructive suggestions, alternative plans or ideas, but vows to bring them into the Bill if MPs do come forward to help.
And emphasising the vital urgency of tomorrow’s vote, he said: “Without this Bill the country’s statute book simply would not work after Brexit – causing chaos for business, consumers and investors right across the UK.”
He went on: “This Bill is too important for political point-scoring. The people of the United Kingdom voted in their millions to leave the European Union and we must ensure that as we exit, we do so in the smoothest way possible”.
And if MPs were to throw a spanner in the works, it could cause a “chaotic and uncertain” future for Brexit, Mr Davies said.