Remainer MPs plot ‘a very British coup’: Tories Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve are accused of being behind plan to sideline May

By peace 5 years ago

Theresa May is facing an all-out bid by Remainer rebels to stop Brexit going ahead by tearing up the Commons rulebook. 

The ‘coup’ could see the government stripped of control over business in Parliament – paralysing the PM and potentially allowing MPs to prevent the UK crashing out without a deal.

The move – which No10 believes is being orchestrated by former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve – could happen within hours of Mrs May’s Brexit plan being heavily defeated on Tuesday, as seems inevitable.

The manoeuvring was only uncovered by Chief Whip Julian Smith when he overheard conspirators in the MPs’ cloakroom.

Ministers have been warned success for the plotters could make it impossible for the government to cling on.

There are claims Speaker John Bercow is ready to help the backbench uprising, after he secretly met Mr Grieve last week. 

The high-stakes battle emerged as Mrs May launched another desperate effort to salvage the package she has thrashed out with Brussels.

Mrs May said failing to deliver on the verdict of the referendum would be ‘unforgivable’ and a ‘catastrophe’ for democracy. 

At the start of an historic week in Parliament that could make or break Brexit:

  • Former PM Sir John Major has joined calls for Article 50 to be revoked to give the UK more time, reiterating his support for a second referendum. 
  • Mrs May is still thought to be on track for a huge defeat on her Brexit deal, with speculation it could be the biggest ever suffered by a government. 
  • Cabinet ministers have warned of a ‘Brexit bunfight’ between supporters of alternative policies if Mrs May’s package is killed off.
  • Hopes are fading of significant concessions from the EU before the crunch Parliamentary clash. 
  • Jeremy Corbyn hinted Labour is preparing to force a no-confidence vote this week if the premier loses the Commons showdown. 
  • Fourteen military planners are said to have have been deployed to Whitehall departments to help with preparations for border chaos if the UK crashes out. 

Hardline Remainers and Brexiteers have been mobilising in a bid to thwart her plans.  

Downing Street said it was ‘extremely concerned’ about a backbench plot to change Commons rules to enable backbench motions to take precedence over Government business, warning it was a ‘real threat’ to its ability to function. 

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