Theresa May is facing demands from the executive of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee - the “men in grey suits” of Tory folklore - to explain when she will resign if she fails to pass a Brexit deal. She has already promised to quit if MPs pass the withdrawal agreement, but now senior Tories want a timetable for her departure if the Brexit deadlock continues. Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 Committee chairman, set out his committee’s latest demand (see 5.53pm) as he confirmed that it was rejecting calls for the rules to be changed to allow an early no confidence vote in May. Under current rules MPs cannot trigger a new no confidence ballot until December, 12 months after the last one, but some Tories wanted this rule changed to allow a challenge much sooner.
Here is the key quote from Sir Graham Brady (see 5.45pm)
We looked at the fact that the prime minister gave a very firm timetable for her departure as leader a few weeks ago in the eventuality that the withdrawal agreement is passed in parliament. We have resolved to request that she sets a similarly clearly timetable or schedule for her departure as leader in other circumstances. So real clarity for colleagues in parliament and for the Conservative party in general.
ITV’s Robert Peston thinks this is a humiliation for Theresa May.
Conservative 1922 Committee says May should clarify when she will resign if Brexit deal does not get passed
Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee, is speaking to Sky News.
He says, after a discussion yesterday and today, the committee has come to a “clear determination” that the rules should not be changed.
But he says it is also reminding Tory MPs that they can write to Brady if they have any concerns. He says he will express any concerns to the PM.
He also says May has already set out a timetable for her departure in the event of MPs passing the withdrawal agreement.
The 1922 Committee will ask May to set out a timetable for when she will go if the deal is not passed, he says.
Conservative 1922 Committee says May should clarify when she will resign if the Brexit deal does not get passed.
Q: There were some vocal calls for a rule change. Why did the executive rule the idea out?
Brady says the executive’s clear view was that this would not be appropriate. There were many reasons, but the main one was that the rule was in place. It was expected in December, when there was a confidence vote, that the rule would hold.
He says it is open to the 1922 Committee to change its mind. But he says the committee has reached a clear view. The matter is now settled, he says.
Q: What was your view?
Brady says he held back in case he had to cast a casting vote.
Here is more on the decision by the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, which is chaired by Sir Graham Brady, not to change the rules to allow an early no confidence vote in Theresa May.
More United,a cross-party campaigning group set up after the 2016 EU referendum, has launched an MPs’ network. Its supporters include Nicky Morgan, David Lammy, Heidi Allen, Caroline Lucas, Jo Swinson and Stephen Kinnock. In a news release it says:
MPs in the network will be able to lead cross-party campaigns on issues which have been ignored because of Brexit. These include poverty and homelessness, responsible technology, mental health and urgent climate dangers.
And David Lammy, the Labour MP and a More United supporter, said:
A rare silver-lining to come out of the disastrous Brexit process is a new willingness among MPs to cooperate beyond traditional tribal loyalties. MPs have found that there is a special power in cross-party working and by publicly committing to seek out strong alliances that protect shared values we can help create positive changes that benefit the entire country.
This is what Nicola Sturgeon said in the Scottish parliament earlier when Miles Briggs, a Conservative MSP, asked her whether, in the search for consensus, she would be willing to drop her bid for a second independence referendum. (See 2.45pm.) Sturgeon replied:
I said I’m open minded to people coming forward with proposals for change. If we can have serious and substantial proposals to deliver, perhaps not all of the change that I want to see but the change that will help protect this parliament, then I’m open minded to that. And I say that without precondition. So the onus is really on the Conservatives. Will they come forward in good faith and have that discussion? If they do, they will find me willing to have that in good faith.
No 10 says it will block Sturgeon's plan for second Scottish independence referendum
Downing Street has ruled out allowing another Scottish independence referendum. These are from my colleague Heather Stewart, who has been at the Number 10 afternoon lobby.
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