Jess Phillips MP delivers emotional plea to prime minister over Brexit

MP Jess Phillips delivers a passionate speech in the House of Commons. Photograph: House of Commons. - Credit: Archant

Labour’s Jess Phillips said she ‘so enraged’ about the ‘complete and utter lack of bravery to do the right thing for our country’ she made an emotional plea on behalf of constituents to Theresa May.

She claimed there is one midwife for her area and people living in hotels face being moved out as the Crufts dog show is taking place in Birmingham.

Phillips sought to press the point further and explained how she spent last week ‘trying to put out the burning injustices that the prime minister’s government has started’ in her area, adding: ‘I will not sit one more day and listen to her crow about employment going up where where I live employment is falling and hunger is rising.

‘I have one midwife for the entirety of my constituency currently.

‘There are people in my constituency living in hotels and they have to move out because Crufts is coming to Birmingham.

‘Will the prime minister do a brave thing and do once what is best for the country, not what is best for any of us – will she be brave and at least answer the question of my colleague, will she at least vote herself against no-deal?’

May said she recognised the ‘passion’ of Phillips, but added: ‘Time and time again I’m asked questions in this chamber, the implication of which is to try and deny the facts of the situation that are before us.’

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She went on: ‘This House will have a decision to take but there are only three options that will be before this House – it is to leave the European Union with a deal, to leave without a deal, or to revoke Article 50 and have no Brexit.

‘I’ve been clear the last of those is one I will not support and I believe the House should not support because it’d be going back on the result of the referendum.’

May earlier confirmed a second ‘meaningful vote’ on her Brexit deal will take place by March 12 and, if this is defeated, a motion asking MPs if they support a no-deal Brexit would be put before the Commons by March 13.