Brexit: MPs launch bids to stop Theresa May running down the clock to no deal

Cross-party group of senior MPs and Labour leadership both put forward plans that could stop Britain crashing out of EU without an agreement

MPs have launched separate bids to stop Theresa May running down the clock on Brexit in an attempt to give parliament control of what should happen if no exit deal is in place by the end of the month.

A cross-party group of senior backbenchers has tabled a motion that would force the government to call a Commons vote in mid-March on whether to pursue a no-deal exit.

Labour has put forward a separate plan that, if passed, would force Ms May to either call a second vote on her plan by 27 February or admit there was no longer a viable deal on the table.

The cross-party group of MPs, which includes Labour's Yvette Cooper and Hilary Benn and former Tory ministers Sir Oliver Letwin, Nick Boles and Dominic Grieve, said they would push ahead with their plan if no deal is in place by 26 February.

At that point, they would table legislation to ensure that parliament is given a vote in mid-March on whether to allow a no-deal Brexit or instead instruct the government to ask the EU to extend Article 50.

Many MPs fear that Britain could be heading for a no-deal exit given the continued lack of parliamentary support for any withdrawal plan.

It comes after the prime minister again delayed another "meaningful vote" on her deal as she told MPs that more time is needed for talks with the EU.

Instead, the Commons will vote on Thursday on a government motion requesting more time to secure concessions from Brussels. Votes will also be held on amendments tabled by MPs.

Addressing MPs on Tuesday, the prime minister said another vote on an "amendable motion" could be held on 27 February in place of a vote on the Brexit deal, if there is still no revised agreement on the table by then.

And Ms May suggested that laws saying parliament must have at least three weeks to consider any new treaty could be overriden - fuelling speculation that she is planning to go down to the wire as she attempts to secure parliament's backing for a Brexit deal.

Some MPs believe she wants to wait as late as the week before Brexit day on 29 March before holding another vote on her deal, in the hope that MPs might reluctantly back her plan if they believe it is by then the only alternative to a no-deal exit.

An EU summit on 22 March could give her a further reason to delay, if she insists that this is when Brussels is most likely to offer new compromises.

Ms Cooper said: “The prime minister needs to get a workable deal in place quickly and she has asked for more time. But there is a real danger of endless drift so if she can’t get a deal in place by 26 February, our cross-party group will put forward this bill at that point to ensure that crucial decisions are made by the middle of March. That is the latest timetable to get the bill through the parliamentary process in time for decisions to be made in March.

“I want to see a workable deal in place, but I am deeply worried about us drifting into no deal by accident, given the serious warnings from top police chiefs, businesses, trade unions and medical experts, and the prime minister is running out of time. We have a responsibility to make sure there is a common sense safeguard in place”.

After tabling his own motion, Mr Corbyn said: “This amendment would stop the government from running down the clock on the Brexit negotiations, hoping members of parliament can be blackmailed into supporting a botched deal.

"This is an act of gross irresponsibility. The prime minister is playing for time and playing with people’s jobs, our economic security and the future of our industry.

“This week parliament should set a clear deadline for the government to come forward with its revised deal or give MPs the chance to decide what happens next.”

Remainer Tory ministers are also reported to be demanding that the prime minister hold another "meaningful vote" on her deal.

If she refuses, around 15 ministers are said to be considering backing the cross-party plan tabled by Ms Cooper.

A similar motion was rejected last month, but supporters believe more MPs may be willing to back it as the prospect of an no-deal Brexit edges ever closer.