Pro-EU Tory rebels delay bid to force Boris Johnson to abandon No Deal Brexit
PRO-EU Tory rebels are to delay their bid to force Boris Johnson to abandon a No Deal Brexit by a month.
A split has emerged between Conservatives and MPs from opposition parties in what they dub “the Rebel Alliance” on when to act.
With the clock ticking down to the October 31 deadline, Labour and Lib Dems want to strike as soon as Parliament returns from its long summer break in 10 days time.
But its Tory members, including an array of ex-Cabinet ministers, don’t believe “the conditions” are right yet.
Downing Street is now “confident” that the new PM has done enough to see off the immediate threat of a no confidence vote or a new law to force him to extend Article 50 talks again, The Sun has learned.
A senior Government figure said: “Tory MPs are listening to our appeal for reasonableness, for now”.
BORIS BOOST
Mr Johnson’s hand was boosted by German leader Angela Merkel’s offer of 30 days for him to come up with a workable alternative to the Irish backstop during their Berlin talks on Wednesday night.
One ex-Cabinet minister Tory rebel told The Sun: “Boris needs to be given a chance to get a new deal.
“Most Tories in the Rebel Alliance will be reluctant to be the obstruction to that by acting prematurely.
“But when the 30 days that Merkel has given him are up, that’s a different matter.”
Tory rebels also want to win over public opinion before they act.
The ex-minister added: “The conditions also have to be right. We have to take the public to the precipice and look over the edge so they see what a no deal looks like first.
“That means closer to the moment, perhaps into October itself.”
When the 30 days that Merkel has given him are up, that’s a different matter.
Ex-Cabinet minister
Instead, Tory rebels allied with Labour may limit themselves to trying to seize a future day of Commons time to prepare to pass a new law if Boris’s bid fails.
They are still expected to use a scheduled Northern Ireland vote on September 9 to book it for either the end of the month if conference recess is scrapped or October.
The delay leaves Jeremy Corbyn in a tough predicament, as he has vowed to table a no -onfidence vote to try to oust Boris Johnson - for which he needs around 15 Tory MPs’ support
But two more senior rebels refused to even accept his invitation to talks yesterday.
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Former Tory minister Nick Boles, who quit the party in April over its approach to Brexit, warned Mr Corbyn not to pursue a vote of no-confidence in the Government.
Mr Boles said instead: “I urge you and the leaders of the other opposition parties to focus on legislative measures to stop no-deal Brexit on October 31.
Dame Caroline Spelman also said she will not be attending Mr Corbyn’s meeting on Tuesday.
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