Brexit Battle Begins As John Bercow Gives MPs Chance To Block No-Deal

An emergency debate is underway in Westminster.
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The battle to block a no-deal Brexit has begun, as John Bercow handed MPs a chance to seize control of the parliamentary agenda. 

At around 9pm, MPs will vote on an emergency motion to carve out time in the Commons on Wednesday to push through legislation to force Boris Johnson to delay Brexit. 

It comes amid growing fear the PM is prepared to wrench the UK out of the EU without a deal on October 31.

His shock decision to shutdown parliament next week for five weeks while the UK hurtles towards the Halloween deadline has sparked nationwide protests. 

Now, Tory rebels are threatening to line up with Labour, Lib Dems and the SNP to inflict defeat on Johnson’s administration. 

Labour MPs described “powerful” scenes as a number of Tory MPs stood indicating their support for the emergency debate.

Shadow Treasury minister Jonathan Reynolds tweeted: “Immensely powerful moment must now as Tory MPs against No Deal rise as a block to show support for an emergency debate.”

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy tweeted: “Powerful moment as 15 Tory mps stood with us to secure emergency debate on no deal brexit just now – standing up not just against an overbearing PM but also for democracy to be given chance to function. I may not agree with their party but I admire their principles.”

And Luke Pollard, shadow fisheries, flooding and water minister, tweeted: “The entire opposition backed the emergency debate on Brexit – and a group of very brave Conservatives did too. The emergency debate will begin immediately. We expect a vote in three hours or so.”

If the “rebel alliance” motion is passed, there will be another parliamentary showdown on Wednesday as MPs will face a race against time to pass legislation that forces the PM to ask Brussels to delay Brexit until January 31. 

Johnson has repeatedly insisted he does not want no-deal but has refused to rule it out, he says, to pressure the EU to offer concessions on the Northern Ireland backstop.

This morning, ex-chancellor Phillip Hammond told the BBC MPs feared there was no plan to strike a new deal with Brussels, adding: “There is no progress. There are no substantive negotiations.” 

There were also signs Johnson’s bid to turn the screws on would-be rebels had backfired, with several MPs confirming they still planned to vote with the opposition even if they lost their job. 

Former ministers Alistair Burt and Justine Greening have already said they will not stand at the next election.