Liam Fox: MPs who reject Brexit bill are 'breaking their contract with voters'
2 min read
MPs who vote against the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be breaking their "contract" with voters to deliver Brexit, according to Liam Fox.
In a boost for Theresa May, the leading eurosceptic said opponents of the flagship legislation would be "voting against the delivery of Brexit itself" and would pay the price at the ballot box.
The International Trade Secretary insisted that opponents of the Prime Minister's strategy should still vote for the WAB because they could then try to amend it later in the parliamentary process.
Speaking in London, Mrs May urged MPs to back her "new deal" with Brussels when the WAB is voted on at second reading in the Commons next month.
In a bid to woo some Labour MPs, the PM said the Commons will be given a vote on whether to hold a second referendum.
She also vowed that the UK would match EU standards on workers' rights and the environment, and that the Government would be under a legal obligation to find "alternative arrangements" to the Irish backstop before the end of 2020.
But with Labour, the DUP and Brexiteer Tories already vowing to oppose it, she is facing the prospect of yet another humiliating defeat.
In a speech in Enfield, Dr Fox said he was backing the bill - and warned that Brexit itself was at risk of the WAB failed.
He said: "We are now reaching the crunch point over Brexit. At the 2017 General Election 80% of MPs – Labour and Conservative – were elected on a promise to honour the result of the referendum. It is time to deliver.”
"The second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will allow MPs to determine the type of Brexit they want by amending the bill during its passage through Parliament.
"Those voting against the Bill will be voting against the delivery of Brexit itself. Voters will see clearly whether their MPs have kept their promise or not.
"This is the moment of truth – honour your contract with the voters or break it – they will be watching and they will remember.”
“For many voters it is no longer just about Brexit – it is about democracy.”
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