Downing Street in talks to extend MPs' working hours as Brexit deadlock continues
3 min read
MPs look set to have their working hours extended and their February recess cancelled as the Parliamentary deadlock over Brexit continues.
Number 10 has confirmed that "preliminary" talks with Commons officials are underway as Britain scrambles to ensure vital laws are passed in time for Britain's planned depature on March 29.
The House of Commons currently sits every day from 11:30am to 7:30pm.
But the Sun on Sunday reports that Theresa May wants to extend sitting hours from 9am to 9pm and postpone the planned 15-24 February recess in order to give MPs enough time to get Brexit bills through the Commons and Lords.
The move would also see MPs ordered to come to Westminster on Fridays - time usually reserved for holding constituency surgeries.
A Downing Street spokesperson told the paper: "We remain committed to ensuring all necessary legislation is in place for exit day on March 29, and it important to stress we are confident of meeting that commitment.
"We are aware this is a challenging timetable, so as a precautionary measure we are in preliminary discussions about extending sitting times – but only if necessary.
"All MPs will have a chance to debate and vote before any extension to hours is taken and we recognise the need to balance this with the constituency role of all MPs and the importance of family life."
Number 10 reportedly believes the extension to working hours would be needed even if MPs swing behind Mrs May's embattled Brexit deal, as a vast swathe of new laws would be needed to ensure it functions properly.
SECOND MEANINGFUL VOTE
The report came as Mrs May's de-facto deputy David Lidington confirmed that the Government is planning to put the Prime Minister's deal back to the Commons for a fresh "meaningful vote" next month.
MPs roundly rejected the agreement in the first vote last month and will on Tuesday vote on a raft of amendments setting out alternative plans - including pushing for an extension to Article 50 to delay the UK's exit and swerve a no-deal outcome.
Writing in the Observer, Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington said: "Once we have a blueprint for a plan that can secure the support of the House, the prime minister will go back to the EU.
"MPs will then have another meaningful vote as soon as possible."
Mrs May has meanwhile vowed to press the European Union for fresh changes to the controversial backstop plan to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland.
Brexiteers and the DUP, who Mrs May relies on for her parliamentary majority, have rejected the backstop in its current form because it could see Britain indefinitely left in the regulatory orbit of the EU if no long-term plan to avoid a hard border is found.
But, in a blow for the Prime Minister, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has reportedly warned her that any fresh changes to the backstop will require her to ditch a key "red line" and agree to a permanent customs union with the European Union.
Mrs May has long made leaving the EU's customs union a key part of her Brexit negotiating strategy.
However, according to the Observer - which cites a leaked diplomatic note of a phone call between the two leaders - Mr Juncker warned the Prime Minister that her current deal was non-negotiatable unless Mrs May shifted her position on a customs tie-up with the EU.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
