THERESA MAY BREXIT STRATEGY REJECTED

Theresa May Brexit Strategy Rejected – Yesterday House of Commons rejected PM’s motion on Brexit by 303 votes to 258. Although this vote does not have any legislative consequence it implies a new symbolic defeat.

Therefore this significantly weakens Theresa May’s negotiation position towards the EU as the EU may argue that this result shows that even with changes to the backstop, May proposal would not get enough support from the House.

ERG Tories consider distrust Theresa May strategy as they consider that the government is effectively ruling out the threat of leaving the European Union without an agreement on departure terms and future relations. In contrast, pro-EU Tories are irritated by the lack of a sufficiently clear commitment to avoid a hard Brexit.

Theresa May now has until 26 February to return to the House with a new Withdrawal bill and get it passed. If she fails to do this then she must deliver a statement on 26 February and lay another amendable motion down for 27th February. Without approval in this second meaningful vote, the Brexit deal cannot come into force.

Corbyn to hold Brexit talks with Barnier and Verhofstadt

Jeremy Corbyn will hold talks in Brussels next week with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator in order to break the Brexit deadlock. A meeting with the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt has been also scheduled. For its part, Theresa May will be in Brussels in the same week to meet the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.