David Cameron’s father-in-law claims EU vote is irrelevant if MPs refuse to vote leave
Furious Tory MPs have rubbished Lord Astor's claims
David Cameron’s own father-in-law today declared Brexit would be blocked by MPs even if Britain votes to Leave in 16 days’ time.
William Waldorf Astor III, the 4th Viscount Astor and Sam Cam’s step dad, said last night: “If the Brexiteers win, an exit from the EU is actually not deliverable.”
The Tory peer added that the “referendum is merely advisory; it has no legal standing to force an exit”.
The bizarre claim came just a day after hardcore Europhile MPs like Labour’s Stephen Kinnock pledged to block the will of the people if Britain votes to Leave.
One Tory Minister told the BBC yesterday: “We would accept the mandate of the people to leave the EU, but everything after that is negotiable and Parliament would have its say.”
Tonight Eurosceptics reacted with fury, saying: “It’s amazing that people feel the need to reject the results before a vote has even been cast.”
Tory MP Nigel Evans told The Sun: “It’s quite simple - the clue is the question on the ballot paper.”
He added: “It’s called a democracy, and I know that the EU has no time for it, but it’s something people from this country fought and died to protect.”
In an extraordinary article for the Spectator magazine, Lord Astor wrote: “We will need an Act of Parliament to revoke the European Communities Act 1972, or perhaps a paving bill enabling the Government to start the Leave negotiations.
“The Government, whether still led by David Cameron or not, would probably not win the vote in the House of Commons,” he added.
The hereditary peer warns: “Labour could claim the referendum was too close and did not include a majority to leave in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“Therefore the Labour Party, the SNP and the few Lib Dems would claim to have the mandate to vote against the bill.
“It would then only take a few fiercely europhile Tories to consult their constituents and their consciences, and decide that after all their campaigning to stay in the EU they cannot vote to leave either."
RELATED STORIES
The former Conservative minister is the great-grandson of William Waldorf Astor, the American billionaire and founder of the famous New York hotel the Waldorf.
Educated at Eton, he became a Viscount at age 15 and entered the House of Lords in 1972, later serving in a number of front bench positions.
He is the stepfather to the Prime Minister’s wife Samantha Cameron.
No 10 refused to comment on the matter.