Rebel Jeremy Lefroy defends Brexit stance
Jeremy Lefroy has accused the Government of reneging on a key Brexit pledge as he defended his decision to rebel against Theresa May.
The Stafford MP was one of 29 Tories to vote against the Government this week, in a move that last night enabled a series of votes on the future of Brexit.
He insisted that the Government can still deliver the Prime Minister's twice-defeated EU Withdrawal Agreement, but said ministers had failed to act on a pledge to allow MPs to vote on other Brexit options.
The so-called Letwin amendment giving MPs a series of indicative votes on Brexit outcomes passed on Monday by a majority of 27. It had previously been defeated by margins of 23 votes and two votes.
None of the eight potential alternatives explored last night received majority backing. They included plans for a "softer Brexit" – which Mr Lefroy said he will support if Mrs May's deal fails – a second referendum, cancelling Brexit altogether, and leaving without a deal.
Mr Lefroy, who voted Remain in the EU referendum, has backed the Prime Minister's deal both times it has gone a Commons vote.
Explaining his decision to back the Letwin amendment, he said: "When it last came before Parliament, I voted against because the Government assured Parliament that it would have the chance to have indicative votes and would set out the plan for them.
"By Monday, that had still not been done clearly, so the Letwin amendment was the only assurance I could see."
Asked if he had lost faith in the Government's ability to deliver Brexit, Mr Lefroy said: "Not at all. I firmly believe that the Government can deliver."
Mr Lefroy said if Mrs May's deal is rejected he would favour a plan put forward by Tory MP George Eustice, who quit as a minister last month to vote against delaying the UK's departure from the bloc.
It would see the UK stay in the single market, while the country's rights and obligations would be determined by UK courts and the Irish backstop would be replaced.
Mr Lefroy added: "I support first and foremost the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration negotiated by the Prime Minister, which I have already voted for twice and will again.
"If it does not pass, I support the George Eustice – who campaigned to leave the EU – proposal as an alternative for leaving the EU."
In a bid to get her deal through the Prime Minister has vowed to step down ahead of the next stage of the Brexit negotiations.
