Theresa May has warned of a catastrophic and unforgivable breach of trust in democracy if MPs reject her Brexit deal and the UK remains in the European Union.
With just two days to go before the Commons vote on her withdrawal agreement, the Prime Minister pleaded with parliamentarians to “do what is right for our country” and back her controversial exit plan.
Mrs May said the UK risks crashing out of the EU without a deal or, if MPs are “unwilling” to face the uncertainty of no deal, then the UK may not leave at all.
In what she described as the biggest and most important decision that any MP of our generation will be asked to make, the Prime Minister said it was time for politicians to deliver for the people.
Writing in the Sunday Express, Mrs May said: You, the British people, voted to leave. And then, in the 2017 General Election, 80% of you voted for MPs who stood on manifestos to respect that referendum result. You have delivered your instructions. Now it is our turn to deliver for you.
When you turned out to vote in the referendum, you did so because you wanted your voice to be heard. Some of you put your trust in the political process for the first time in decades. We cannot and must not let you down.
Doing so would be a catastrophic and unforgivable breach of trust in our democracy. So my message to Parliament this weekend is simple: it is time to forget the games and do what is right for our country.
Her stark warning came as Downing Street said it was extremely concerned about a backbench plot to change Commons rules to enable backbench motions to take precedence over Government business if Mrs May’s deal falls.
Under the rebels’ plan, reported in the Sunday Times, the Government would lose control of parliamentary business which would threaten Brexit legislation and the Government’s ability to govern. It was previously thought only ministers could put a halt to Britain leaving with no deal.