Cabinet ministers urge Remainer MPs to vote for Theresa May’s Brexit bill to get chance of second referendum
Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested the controversial new tactic
CABINET ministers have urged Remainer MPs to vote for Theresa May’s Brexit deal to give them a chance of winning a second referendum.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock mounted the controversial new tactic in a desperate new bid to whip up supporting for the new Commons showdown in two weeks time.
It came as No10’s hopes of passing the PM’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill continued to fade.
Mr Hancock urged all MPs: “You need to vote for this legislation - and then have the debate in the committee stages later on exactly what the details are.
“No doubt there will be votes on some of the really big issues like whether to have a ‘people’s vote’ and whether to have a customs union.
"Both of which I am against, but Parliament will have its chance to have its say”.
'BIND THEIR HANDS'
But in another blow for No10, former Brexit Secretary David Davis revealed he would switch his vote to now oppose the deal.
Mr Davis insisted the bill would be unfair on Mrs May’s successor as it would “bind their hands”, adding: “The next Prime Minister must have the right to reset the negotiation on their terms”.
The PM’s former de facto deputy, Damian Green, yesterday urged the PM to commit the Government to do more on alternative arrangements to replace the unpopular Irish backstop.
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Dubbing it “the sticking point” for many Tory MPs and the DUP, ex-Cabinet minister Mr Green said: “One of the areas I think there is still more work to be done on are alternative arrangements.
“I think there is a viable solution there that doesn’t require new technology that doesn’t exist yet.
“Something along those lines would enable a deal to get through the House of Commons.”
Waffling on
HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock was caught scoffing an unhealthy caramel waffle for breakfast on air yesterday.
He wolfed down the treat despite it containing more than 300 calories and containing half the recommended daily fat allowance for a man.
The Stroopwafel from Caffe Nero contains 30g of sugar.
Challenged by GMB’s Piers Morgan over his unhealthy snack, Mr Hancock, who has led efforts to tackle childhood obesity, insisted: “If you like your waffles then that’s fine, just don’t have them all the time and do some exercise as well.”
Mr Hancock tweeted later: “Nothing wrong with a bit of waffle in politics from time to time #LoveLife #LoveWaffles.”
Later he refused to rule out running in the crowded race to replace Theresa May.
He boasted that “lots of people have asked me to put my name forward and have pledged to support me if I do.”
We need a leader in the centre ground of British politics; to deliver Brexit; to concentrate on pound in people’s pockets”
Last night Mr Hancock said his first priority as PM would be to lift the national living wage, telling a Telegraph Live event: “If we need to do one thing, we need to raise people’s pay.”
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