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Kent MPs rebel against government to back plans for parliament to take control of Brexit

Two Kent MPs rebelled against the government to back plans for Parliament to take control of the Brexit process.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins and Ashford MP Damian Green both supported a motion that means parliament will try to come up with alternative proposals for leaving the EU.

It was the latest defeat for the government over Brexit and the Prime Minister lost three more ministers who quit to vote against her.

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Less than 1,000 Fenlanders sign petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked. (8055830)
Less than 1,000 Fenlanders sign petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked. (8055830)

Mr Collins has already voted twice against the proposed deal and has indicated that he is likely to do so again.

Mr Green was among the MPs who attended talks at Chequers at the weekend to try to and broker an agreement that could bring the two sides together.

While the vote last night was unprecedented, the Prime Minister will not be bound by any proposals that parliament votes for in a debate scheduled for tomorrow.

She said allowing MPs to take over the Commons agenda would set an "unwelcome precedent".

MPs who supported the motion put forward by backbencher Sir Oliver Letwin said they were concerned that the government would not give MPs they say on a full range of options.

Ashford MP Damian Green said most people wanted the government to get on with implementing Brexit and the debate tomorrow could break the deadlock.

"I still think the government’s deal is the best on offer and I would vote for it again," he told KentOnline.

"If that is not going to happen, this allows for debate on other options. It is not an attempt to sabotage Brexit or have a second referendum."

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It would be very difficult for the government to ignore the will of the House of Commons, he added: "I have been canvassing for the local council election and the overwhelming message is 'for goodness sake, just get on with it'.

"There are other important issues we need to address."

Mr Green reiterated there needed to be a compromise on both sides but admitted that while some recognised the need for consensus, others did not.

"Even Jacob Rees Mogg accepts that he will not get the type of Brexit he wants," he said.

Damian Collins, writing in his column for the Folkestone and Hythe Express, said the government could not gamble on the chance the deal as it stood could get passed before April 12.

"We cannot afford to waste any more time. That’s why I voted for the House of Commons to take control of the business of parliament on Wednesday, so that motions can be tabled to see if there is a majority of support for an alternative Brexit strategy.

"I will not support motions that seek to stop Brexit. I will not vote to revoke Article 50 and cancel the Brexit process, nor will I vote for a second referendum or for a lengthy delay to Brexit.

Prime minister Theresa May
Prime minister Theresa May

"My preferred option throughout the last few months has been for an amendment to the Prime Minister's deal in order to remove the provisions that would leave us locked into the backstop arrangements, should we fail to agree a future relationship with the European Union, during the transition period.

"If that is not possible, then I think we should seriously look at Brexit based on leaving the EU and joining the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), an option that is also being called 'Common Market 2.0'.

"EFTA members have a form of customs union with the EU to facilitate trade but are also free to trade deals with other countries.

"They are also part of the single market but can in certain circumstances restrict freedom of movement.

"We would have to make a financial contribution for access to the market, as other countries do, but this would be about half of what we currently pay as an EU member state."

The Prime Minister conceded yesterday that she did not have enough support for her deal to put it before Parliament.

Brexiteers fear parliament could support a softer version of Brexit, including the option of maintaining some kind of customs union.

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