Leaders and senior political figures from six parties today issued a triple challenge – to Labour, the Government and the European Union – to recognise that a People’s Vote is the only real way forward in the growing Brexit crisis.
At a People’s Vote campaign press conference in Westminster, the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford MP and Plaid Cymru Westminster Group Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP, were joined by Dame Margaret Beckett, the Labour MP and former Foreign Secretary, and Anna Soubry, the Conservative MP and former Business Minister.
The challenge to Labour:-
Sir Vince, Ms Lucas, Mr Blackford and Ms Saville Roberts will say they have written to Jeremy Corbyn ahead of today’s Shadow Cabinet meeting asking that the Labour Party joins them in moving a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. At a time when this Government does not have a majority in the House and has lost control of the single most important issue to face the Commons for a generation, there is an overwhelming case to test to the confidence of MPs and to do so now, before more valuable time is wasted. Recognising Labour’s policy is to seek a General Election as early as possible, the letter calls on Labour to move a vote of no confidence. If it cannot succeed in that objective, it urges Mr Corbyn to work with other parties in Westminster to fulfil the demands – shared by the overwhelming majority of Labour voters and members - for a People’s Vote: now clearly the only way forward for the United Kingdom in this current crisis.
The MPs issued two further challenges on behalf of the campaign:
The challenge to the Government:-
Theresa May, announcing her proposed deal on the steps of Downing Street, said that the alternatives were either “to leave with no deal, or no Brexit at all”. Yesterday, in the Commons she told MPs that they need to “face the fact that there will be a choice between a deal, no deal and no Brexit.” We do not doubt that the Prime Minister has set her face against both. But, given her repeated suggestions that both are possible outcomes to this crisis, it would be the height of irresponsibility to prepare for one and not the other.
Amid this constitutional crisis, the Government should begin drawing up the necessary legislation and how Parliament can be given the time and space to properly debate and set the question, the rules, the franchise and the date of the vote.
The challenge to the European Union:-
We share the view of the President of the EU Council who said yesterday that the there is no better deal that can be negotiated. Both this – and every other form of Brexit that might yet be proposed - will be damaging for the livelihoods, life chances and sovereignty of those we represent here in the UK. It will also, of course, be a grim prospect for our friends and allies across Europe. Consulting the British people on these terms in a referendum is a process that cannot and should not be unduly rushed. While we hope that a decision by Parliament to deliver a People’s Vote and to put the necessary legislation in place will happen swiftly. But we recognise it will not be possible to hold the vote itself before the end of March.
Today, the People’s Vote campaign is calling on European leaders to allow for an extension of the Article 50 timetable to allow the United Kingdom to go through a democratic process as a sovereign nation that could culminate with a result that would be of a benefit to the entire family of European nations and its peoples. This matter is a matter that should be discussed by European leaders at this week’s Council Summit. And, in time, we would hope that were such a request be made to allow the necessary time for our democratic process to play out, it would be looked upon favourably by our allies in the European Union.
www.peoples-vote.uk/people_s_vote_campaign_issues_triple_challenge_to_labour_the_government_and_the_european_union
