Doubt cast over Theresa May's Brexit plans as Sunderland MPs react to delay over vote

Sunderland MPs say the move by Theresa May to hold off on a vote over her Brexit proposal shows it is flawed.
Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement in the House of Commons, London, where she told MPs that tomorrow's "meaningful vote" on her Brexit deal had been deferred. Photo by Press Association.Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement in the House of Commons, London, where she told MPs that tomorrow's "meaningful vote" on her Brexit deal had been deferred. Photo by Press Association.
Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement in the House of Commons, London, where she told MPs that tomorrow's "meaningful vote" on her Brexit deal had been deferred. Photo by Press Association.

The Prime Minister has called off tomorrow's vote on the deal because it "would be rejected by a significant margin."

She has said while members backed much of the agreement she has come to with the EU, there were still concerns over the Northern Irish boarder backstop and she wants to allow MPs to place obligations on the Government to ensure it cannot be in place indefinitely.

Sharon Hodgson,MP for Washington and Sunderland West.Sharon Hodgson,MP for Washington and Sunderland West.
Sharon Hodgson,MP for Washington and Sunderland West.
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Once more, she has rejected all other alternatives proposed, including another referendum and leaving without a deal, and said her plans "gives us control of our borders, our money and our laws - it protects jobs, security and our Union".

But she does believe she can get the deal through if she addressed the issues of her fellow MPs and says that is what she aims to do within coming days.

In response, Speaker John Bercow - who chairs debates in the House of Commons - called on the government to give MPs a vote on whether Tuesday's vote should be cancelled, saying it was the "right and obvious" thing to do given how angry some MPs were about the cancellation.

This evening, Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott, a Labour member, said: “Today, in delaying the meaningful vote in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister has made clear that there is no support for her damaging Brexit agreement.

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott.Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott.
Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott.
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“It is a deal that would make Britain poorer, and it is a deal that threatens jobs and security.

“She says she is going to go back to the European Union to seek reassurance on the deal, but she herself has made clear there is no room for renegotiation.

“It is obvious that the Prime Minister is unable to negotiate a deal that benefits the United Kingdom, and that protects the jobs and livelihoods of those of us in the North East.

“She should put it to a People’s vote, and let the people decide the future of this country.”

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Fellow Labour member Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, said the PM should step aside if she cannot summons a majority in the House of Commons.

She said: ‘‘Even by this Government’s standards, the events we have seen today are extraordinary.

"I am in no doubt that many of my constituents will be looking on at what the Prime Minister is doing in absolute horror.

"There are just 109 days to go until we are due to leave the European Union and the Prime Minister doesn’t even have the confidence to put her own deal to a vote in the House of Commons.

"Every day that this chaos continues, the country suffers more.

"If the Prime Minister is no longer able to command a majority in Parliament, she should step aside."