BBC host puts Tory Remainer rebel on the spot for ‘not allowing Theresa May to govern’
A BBC host put a Conservative MP on the spot during a heated interview asking her whether voting against the Government on the House of Lords Brexit amendments was not allowing Theresa May to govern.
Theresa May this week will attempt to fight off House of Lords
amendments which threaten to keep the UK in the EEA and customs union
post-Brexit.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sarah Wollaston, who voted against the Government on a meaningful vote amendment in December, explained how she would vote this week.
She said: “We do support the Prime Minister, but what I think matters most here is that all parliamentarians actually focus on the issue at hand here.
“This isn’t about narrow party politics and the divisions within the Labour Party and the Conservative Party.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sarah Wollaston, who voted against the Government on a meaningful vote amendment in December, explained how she would vote this week.
She said: “We do support the Prime Minister, but what I think matters most here is that all parliamentarians actually focus on the issue at hand here.
“This isn’t about narrow party politics and the divisions within the Labour Party and the Conservative Party.”
Brexit news: Sarah Wollaston was put on the spot over how she would vote this week
The BBC presenter, Justin Webb, stepped in pointing out the Conservative MP would be disrupting Theresa May’s ability to “govern” if she voted against the Government.
He said: “It is about allowing her to govern though.
“What many of your colleagues say is you would not be doing that.”
Ms Wollaston replied: “I disagree. I think it would be allowing us to govern.
“At the moment I think the issues around the EEA and EFTA for example, that will probably be decided another day because we have got a lot of opportunities to come back to that.
“We would like to see further concessions on the amendment on the customs union because it’s just a very sensible amendment that just says keep it on the table, don’t completely rule it out.”
Ms Wollaston also highlighted the importance of the “meaningful role” amendment after exit negotiations are complete.He said: “It is about allowing her to govern though.
“What many of your colleagues say is you would not be doing that.”
Ms Wollaston replied: “I disagree. I think it would be allowing us to govern.
“At the moment I think the issues around the EEA and EFTA for example, that will probably be decided another day because we have got a lot of opportunities to come back to that.
“We would like to see further concessions on the amendment on the customs union because it’s just a very sensible amendment that just says keep it on the table, don’t completely rule it out.”
Fears have been raised this could ultimately force the Government to re-open talks with the EU in the closing months and weeks of the divorce.
Ms Wollaston dismissed fears voting against the Government could lead to Jeremy Corbyn in power.
On Sunday, she tweeted: “Many people emailing to ask how I will vote this week. Plan to be in chamber to listen to both full days of debate but really don’t buy the argument that I should not vote for close EU links and soft Brexit for fear this would lead to a Corbyn Govt.
“Both parties, & the country, torn apart by differences over the type of Brexit. MPs should listen carefully to all the arguments & vote on the actual subject of the debate, not on internal party politics.”
The House of Lords explained
Sat, March 24, 2018
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Theresa May is set to face pressure from pro-Remain MPs next week as the House of Commons debates the amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
If the opposition votes completely against Mrs May, it will take around a dozen Tory rebels to defeat the government.
The marathon debating sessions will take place on June 12 and June 13 when the Commons votes on peers amendments.
Speaking at the G7 conference in Canada, she said: “Let’s remember what the Withdrawal Bill is for. It’s about delivering a statute book that is ready for Brexit day.
“Of course, the Lords has a revising role to play but some of the amendments that were passed and the comments that were made went far beyond that. You had peers talking about stopping Brexit or trying to tie the Government’s hands in the negotiations.”
If the opposition votes completely against Mrs May, it will take around a dozen Tory rebels to defeat the government.
The marathon debating sessions will take place on June 12 and June 13 when the Commons votes on peers amendments.
Speaking at the G7 conference in Canada, she said: “Let’s remember what the Withdrawal Bill is for. It’s about delivering a statute book that is ready for Brexit day.
“Of course, the Lords has a revising role to play but some of the amendments that were passed and the comments that were made went far beyond that. You had peers talking about stopping Brexit or trying to tie the Government’s hands in the negotiations.”
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