The prime minister delivered a speech as part of desperate efforts to save her negotiations
Theresa May says if her draft withdrawal agreement for leaving the European Union is voted down in the Commons, the most likely result would be “paralysis in parliament” and “risk there being no Brexit.”
She said British politics would suffer a catastrophic loss of trust if the UK did not leave the EU and that no Brexit was now more likely than no deal.
Delivering a speech in Stoke-on-Trent, the prime minister outlined new assurances she received from the EU on the Irish backstop.
Theresa May made her speech in a Stoke-on-Trent ceramics factory (Credit: Ben Birchall)The EU made fresh commitments to consider different customs arrangements and to expedite talks on the future relationship. It said these commitments had “legal value” and would be treated “in the most solemn manner,” in letters published on Monday.
May said the letters represented “valuable new clarifications and assurances” and that “they make absolutely clear that the backstop is not a threat nor a trap.”
May added: “I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy.
“Imagine if an anti-devolution House of Commons had said to the people of Scotland or Wales that despite voting in favour of a devolved legislature, parliament knew better and would overrule them. Or else force them to vote again.
“What if we found ourselves in a situation where parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a Remain vote?
“People’s faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum.”
The prime minister also refused to rule out extending the Article 50 deadline in questions after her speech, but she did say she does not believe the government should delay the withdrawal process or conduct a second referendum.
Responding to the speech, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said: “The prime minister has once again failed to deliver.
“This is a long way from the significant and legally effective commitment the prime minister promised last month. It is a reiteration of the EU’s existing position. Once again, nothing has changed.”
