The Government has accepted a Labour motion that calls for the Government to publish a plan for Brexit before Article 50 is invoked.

Facing a likely rebellion on their own backbenches, the Government has made a significant 11th hour concession. The motion will be debated tomorrow in the House of Commons.

Labour have consistently emphasised they will not delay or frustrate the process of triggering Article 50, but that the Government need to publish a plan for Brexit before Article 50 is invoked.

Keir Starmer, Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, and who is leading the debate for Labour tomorrow said:

“This is a welcome and hugely significant climb down from the Government.

“For the last two months Labour have been pushing the Government to put their plan for Brexit before Parliament and the public. Without that plan, we have had unnecessary uncertainty, speculation and a running commentary on the Government’s likely approach.

“The Government have now agreed to publish that plan, and to do so before Article 50 is invoked.

“Labour will hold the Government to account on this. We will also push for a plan to be published no later than January 2017 so that the House of Commons, the devolved administrations, the Brexit Select Committee and the British people have a chance to scrutinise it.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Text of the motion and amendment
THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR BREXIT
Jeremy Corbyn
Keir Starmer
Tom Watson
Emily Thornberry
Jenny Chapman
Mr Nicholas Brown

That this House recognises that leaving the EU is the defining issue facing the UK; notes the resolution on parliamentary scrutiny of the UK leaving the EU agreed by the House on 12 October 2016; recognises that it is Parliament’s responsibility to properly scrutinise the Government while respecting the decision of the British people to leave the European Union; confirms that there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the European Union after Article 50 has been triggered; and calls on the Prime Minister to commit to publishing the Government’s plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked.

Govt’s Amdt

The Prime Minister
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary Amber Rudd
Secretary Boris Johnson
Secretary David Davis
Gavin Williamson

At end add ‘, consistently with the principles agreed without division by this House on 12 October; recognises that this House should respect the wishes of the United Kingdom as expressed in the referendum on 23 June; and further calls on the Government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017’.