Ulster Unionist Party Chairman, Lord Empey, has stated that the Government`s Withdrawal Agreement could be heading for huge defeats in both the House of Lords and House of Commons. The vote in the House of Lords is due to take place the day before the vote in the Commons.
Lord Empey said:
“Mrs May could be heading for huge defeats in both Houses with unknown consequences. While the ‘meaningful vote’ in the Commons on 11 December is the one that really counts, it could be influenced by the one in the Lords which is to take place the day before on 10 December. I understand that the Government didn't want this sequencing, but as they do not have a majority in the Lords, they were left with little option.
“What Her Majesty`s Government has put on the table is unacceptable and sadly the DUP failed to see the dangers in the backstop last year when they could have done something about it.
“Never in all my time in politics have I seen our beloved United Kingdom in general and Northern Ireland in particular in such a mess.
“Incompetence, sabotage and political posturing all play their part in this, but it is the next generation that will pay the price.”