Tory rebels accused of collaborating with Labour to reverse Brexit
Tory rebels who voted to take control of the Brexit process have been accused of collaborating with Labour to stop Britain from leaving the EU.
Twenty-nine Conservative MPs – including Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy – defied the party whip by supporting an amendment allowing MPs to dictate the business of the House of Commons tomorrow.
Leading Tory Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash has hit out at his parliamentary colleagues, accusing them of being in league with the Labour Party in trying to "reverse Brexit".
"It is clear collaboration with Labour," the Stone MP said.
"There were 29 Conservative MPs who decided they would vote with Labour, as a result of which it went through by, surprise, surprise, a majority of 27.
"The reality is that even they don't know where it is going to lead. They can't be certain that they can even get agreement amongst MPs on anything that is put forward.
"But the consequences of what they are seeking to do would effectively be to undermine the referendum result and to reverse Brexit."
Indicative votes
The Government's latest defeat means MPs will tomorrow be allowed to put forward motions relating to Brexit in a series of so-called indicative votes.
Options – which will be selected for debate by Speaker John Bercow – are likely to include a "softer Brexit", a customs union with the EU and another referendum.
The Government has said it will listen to MPs but has not committed to supporting any of the outcomes, none of which are legally binding.
Sir Bill has opposed the Prime Minister's twice-defeated deal, claiming it would hand over control of Britain's lawmaking for years and fails to protect the constitutional status of Northern Ireland.
"It would castrate Parliament by allowing us to be governed behind closed doors by 27 other member states," he said.
"I want to protect my constituents against the idea of having legislation that puts us against the mercy of our competitors, with Germany calling the shots."
How did your MP vote?
Mr Lefroy supported Remain in the EU referendum, but has backed the Prime Minister's deal in both meaningful votes. He said yesterday that he believed it could still pass through the Commons "with a little bit more work".
Every other Conservative MP across the Black Country and Staffordshire opposed the Letwin amendment, as did Ian Austin, the independent MP for Dudley North.
The Black Country's seven Labour MPs all voted for the amendment.
Meanwhile three Conservative ministers quit so they could back last night's cross-party amendment, which was tabled by Tory MP Sir Oliver Letwin.
They included pro-EU Business Minister Richard Harrington, who said the Government's approach to Brexit was "playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of people".
Mr Lefroy has been contacted for a comment.
