Steerpike Steerpike

Dominic Grieve’s constitutional crisis

Backbench MP and arch-Remainer Dominic Grieve shocked political observers this weekend, when it was revealed that he is planning to take control of the parliamentary timetable to allow a coalition of 300 MPs (less than a majority) to introduce legislation to block a no-deal Brexit. If he succeeds, the former Attorney General will overturn centuries of precedent and completely upend Britain’s unwritten constitution which says that whoever wins an election, gets control over introducing legislation in the Commons.

Speaking on Radio 4, Grieve defended his plot by saying that his controversial amendment still required a majority to pass into law:

‘No business of the House can be decided without a majority. But at the moment it’s worth bearing in mind that all sorts of people can move motions. The Speaker can prompt a debate, the backbench committee can do it, so we are talking about the numbers you need to get a motion actually in front of the House, not to pass it.’

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in