THERESA May has gone back on plans to make the Commons stop early for their summer break.
Nicola Sturgeon was among a series of politicians who hit out at the move put forward by the government on Monday night amid the high drama of debate on the Customs Bill.
The First Minister suggested it was because May wanted to buy some much-needed breathing space over Brexit, as would-be plotters were all sent away from Westminster.
“Trying to force an early holiday to save their own skins is the desperate act of a useless UK Government with no concern whatsoever for the best interests of the country – and fast running out of road,” she tweeted.
But with with Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems and a number of normally loyal Tory MPs all ready to oppose the motion, the government u-turned.
SNP MP Alison Thewliss described the debacle over the recess dates as a “shambles” and “disrespectful to all parents in this House” trying to arrange childcare.
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the government was in “chaos”.
He tweeted: “Government’s plan to close Parliament on Thursday and send MPs home early for summer is because Theresa May is fearful of Tory MPs hanging around plotting against her. It shows what chaos this Government is in.
“Let me make it clear that I will be voting against breaking up early.”
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, hit out referring to the news yesterday that the Brexit campaign group Vote Leave had been fined £61,000 and referred to the police after an Electoral Commission probe said it broke electoral law.
He tweeted: “What price our democracy? The powers that the electoral commission have need to be addressed. This fine is inconsequential to the breaking of electoral laws. Our democracy has been undermined, parliament needs to address this, not take an early holiday.”
Some Tory backbenchers are understood to be intending to vote against the motion including former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon – usually loyal to the government – and Pro-EU Tory Philip Lee, who quit last month as a minister over Brexit. Lee tweeted: “I can’t possibly go along with that and I don’t see how anyone else could at this critical time with the clock ticking on #Brexit; it would be shameful even to consider it.”
The Remain-backing Tory chair of the Health Select Committee, Sarah Wollaston, said she was opposed to an early recess – and her committee would sit as usual next Tuesday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel