Govt Brexit Plan A 'Wasted Opportunity'- Alliance

Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said the Prime Minister's Brexit statement to MP's on Monday 21 January was a "wasted opportunity".

Theresa May addressed the House of Commons and set out her plan B for the UK's departure from the EU, after her initial Withdrawal Agreement was rejected by Parliament last week.

The Conservative leader promised to take a more "flexible, open and inclusive" approach to involving MP's in negotiations with the EU, and said she will hold further talks this week on the controversial Northern Ireland backstop.

Speaking after Mrs May's comments, the east Belfast MLA said she was disappointed by the lack of shift in strategy.

"Until she can accept she has mutually incompatible redlines and face up to the sharp choices available, then progress is not going to be made. 


"There is little point in wasting further time indulging those obsessed with changing or ditching the backstop. Any negotiated Brexit will require a withdrawal agreement, which will in turn require an open-ended backstop until and unless a better solution protecting the Good Friday Agreement comes along."

Mrs Long continued: "The Prime Minister is arrogant to keep dismissing calls for either a People's Vote or an extension of Article 50 to avoid a catastrophic no deal outcome. She seems to be afraid to see either of these propositions formally tested, and it is now important Parliament forces her hand on this."

The Labour Party tabled an amendment on Monday evening in an attempt to "break the Brexit deadlock".

The opposition are seeking the option for Parliament to back a national poll when MP's vote on Mrs May's "Plan B" next week.

The amendment includes a vote on whether to legislate "to hold a public vote on a deal or a proposition" that is supported by a Commons majority.



(JG/CM)