What is Yvette Cooper’s amendment to extend Article 50 and prevent a no-deal Brexit?

Analysis: MPs are now seeking to assert control after Theresa May’s historic defeat. Ashley Cowburn looks at one of the amendments tabled by a Labour MP that aims to avoid a disorderly exit from the EU

Will Yvette Cooper’s amendment take no deal off the table? (PA)

Nothing has changed. Following the greatest defeat in modern parliamentary history over her Brexit deal, Theresa May has used a statement in the Commons to outline her plan B, which appears remarkably similar to plan A.

The prime minister will now seek further assurances from the EU over the highly contentious issue of the Irish backstop – something, of course, she attempted to do after delaying the first “meaningful vote” in December.

But this is where the parliamentary battles begin – as MPs can now attach amendments to the “neutral”, plan B motion, which will be tabled today by the government with a view to being debated and voted on come 29 January.

One of those amendments will be tabled under the name of the Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs parliament’s Home Affairs Committee.

She is seeking time for a vote on her bill to give MPs the power to suspend the Article 50 withdrawal process if there is no deal in place with Brussels by 26 February – thus preventing a no-deal scenario on 29 March.

If the time is allocated, and the legislation passes, it would mean Theresa May has just over a month to get parliamentary approval for her Brexit deal. Failing this, MPs would be given a vote on extending Article 50 for a nine-month period.

If MPs did vote for the measure, however, the EU27 would have to agree, unanimously, to grant the request to extend the negotiating period.

Those backing the move by Ms Cooper are senior MPs from across the Commons, including Nicky Morgan, Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin, Hilary Benn and Norman Lamb.

The Labour frontbench is yet to say whether it is supporting the amendment, but one of the party’s shadow Brexit ministers dropped a pretty clear hint Jeremy Corbyn would do so.

“Absolutely something we are seriously considering,” said Labour’s Jenny Chapman.

Announcing her proposals, Ms Cooper said the government “cannot just push the country into no deal because they have run out of time”, adding: “The prime minister should rule out no deal.

“But if she won’t, and if nothing else is sorted by the end of February, then parliament should be given a vote on whether to extend Article 50 instead or it will be too late.”

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