UK MPs seek to block no-deal Brexit

UK MPs have tabled an amendment to try and block a new prime minister from taking Brtain out of the EU without parliament's approval.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (C)

UK MPs will try to block PM Theresa May's replacement from effecting a no-deal Brexit. (AAP)

Pro-European Union lawmakers will seek next week to block a new prime minister from taking Britain out of the European Union without a deal and against the will of parliament, by trying to cut off some of the government's funding.

Former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve and former Labour Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett have tabled an amendment, or change, to routine finance legislation - dubbed estimates - that was set to be nodded through early next week.

The amendment is aimed at denying funds to certain government departments unless parliament has ratified a deal, or Withdrawal Agreement, with the EU, or lawmakers have agreed to Britain leaving without a deal.

"The suggestion that we could or should be taken out of the EU without the consent of the House of Commons is fundamentally wrong, and frankly unconstitutional," Grieve told The Sun newspaper.

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said such a funding block would be "grossly irresponsible".

"This is government spending for this financial year and funds crucial areas like schools, housing and welfare," the spokeswoman said, adding that it was not yet clear whether the amendment would be selected for debate.

The move comes after both candidates to replace May as prime minister have said they would oversee a no-deal Brexit if forced to.

Boris Johnson has pledged to leave the EU with or without a deal on October 31 if he wins.

His rival Jeremy Hunt has said he would, if absolutely necessary, go for a no-deal Brexit.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world