Dave Prentis urges MPs to extend Article 50 notice period

“Leaving the EU without a deal would be a catastrophe for public services and all those who work in them,” Dave Prentis declared in an email to Labour MPs today. Writing ahead of today’s parliamentary votes on Brexit motions and amendments – plus the votes in March announced by the prime minister yesterday – the UNISON general secretary also reaffirmed that the union “cannot accept any undermining of the Belfast Agreement or peace in Northern Ireland”. He urged MPs to back moves to extend the Article 50 withdrawal process “not to stop Brexit, and not to overturn the referendum – but to provide Parliament with an opportunity to seek the best possible deal for our country”. MPs are discussing and voting on a number of Brexit motions and amendments today. Prime minister Theresa May has promised a “meaningful vote” on the withdrawal agreement – agreed in principle between the UK and EU, but overwhelmingly rejected by MPs in January – following further discussions between the government and EU on 12 March. If it is rejected again, MPs have been promised a vote on whether they would accept a no-deal Brexit on 13 March. If that is rejected, they will be asked to vote on seeking an extension of the Article 50 period on 14 March. Britain’s current two-year notice of leaving the EU under Article 50 means the country would cease to be a member on 29 March. The full text of Mr Prentis’s email to Labour MPs reads: Throughout this period of Brexit uncertain...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News BREXIT brexit draft agreement Labour Party parliament UNION Labour Link Source Type: news