Lib Dem brags pro-EU peers have enough numbers to win Parliamentary battle and amend Brexit bill in House of Lords
Dick Newby said he was confident enough colleagues would back changes to Article 50 legislation next week
REMOANING Peers vowed to bind Theresa May’s hands ahead of Brexit negotiations, claiming they “don’t trust” the PM to get the best deal for Britain.
Lib Dem Dick Newby claimed as many of 230 pro-EU Lords would back a slew of amendments when the Brexit Bill goes to the Upper House next week.
It will then be sent back to the Commons in a process nicknamed “ping pong”.
Lord Newby vowed to use the process to block giving the PM “unfettered power to do whatever she wants” when she hammers out our EU divorce.
And he claimed to have the numbers behind him to do so
Asked if he was trying to tie the PM’s hands he told The Sun: “We don’t trust her. It’s as simple as that.”
The most senior Lib Dem peer said: “The idea of giving Theresa May unfettered power to do whatever she wants is extremely unappealing.”
And throwing down the gauntlet to MPs, Lord Newby blasted: “If the House of Lords can’t amend a Bill it should be abolished.”
He added: “That is what we are there for — to ask them to think again if we disagree with them.”
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And he promised to work with Labour Peers to force amendments on the Brexit Bill including guarantees for the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, and a second referendum on our the final deal.
But he insisted he was not trying to delay the Article 50 exit process, saying “in the end the will of the Commons prevails.”
Explaining his actions, Lord Newby claimed: “There are a lot of members for whom Europe is the big thing that has motivated them in politics.
“We were complacent, truth be told.
“But things have turned and people on our side feel very strongly about it.”
Lord Newby’s plan came after David Davis warned the Government were prepared for “some passing backward and forward” between the Commons and Lords.
But added that the PM “expected that to be resolved in good time before the end of March” when she has promised to fire the Brexit starting gun.
