David Davis calls for MPs to '˜trust the people' in face of Commons opposition over Brexit Bill

Speaking ahead of today’s second reading of the Government’s Brexit Bill, Mr Davis claimed that MPs are faced with a “very simple question” about whether or not to respect the referendum result, and should not seek to “tie the Government’s hands” ahead of negotiations.

The appeal comes amid uncertainty about the level of opposition to the Bill, with dozens of opposition MPs – including Sheffield’s Angela Smith – signing up to amendments that would block its progress unless ministers agree to certain concessions.

There is also speculation about whether any more Labour frontbenchers will defy their party whip to vote against the legislation, following the recent resignation of Shadow Cabinet ministers Tulip Siddiq and Jo Stevens.

MPs from across the opposition benches have tabled amendments to the two-clause Brexit Bill, which, if passed, grants the Government permission to begin formal exit talks.

At least five amendments would block a second reading of the legislation, unless ministers offer guarantees on issues like environmental regulation, and the continuation of free movement.

The Penistone and Stockbridge MP Angela Smith has put her name to a motion that would vote down the Bill unless the Government provides assurances that membership of the single market “is still on the table”.

Explaining her position, she said she does no want to “stand in the way” of triggering Article 50, but believes trade with Europe is “vital”.

“There is severe doubt that the estimated 30 per cent fall in trade with the EU that will come with a hard Brexit will be recovered with new trade deals,” she said.

“The Centre for Cities estimates 57 per cent of Sheffield’s exports go directly into the European Single Market... For people in Sheffield, a 30 per cent loss in our exports could have a devastating impact.

“On June 23rd the British people voted to leave the European Union – it would be wrong therefore to stand in the way of Article 50 being activated.

“I am also sure, however, that the British people did not vote to make themselves poorer when they made their decision on how to vote.”

Mrs Smith’s position potentially puts her at loggerheads with the Labour party leadership, which has imposed a three-line whip on voting in favour of the Bill.

This has already triggered two frontbench resignations from MPs representing Remain constituencies, and the York MP and Shadow Defra Secretary Rachael Maskell is understood to be consulting her constituents on how she should vote.

In a message to MPs ahead of today’s debate, Mr Davis urges all parties to “respect the referendum result [and] allow formal negotiations to commence”.

He adds that in discussing Article 50 legislation MPs are only being asked to consider “a very simple question: do we trust the people or not?.”

“It is not a Bill about whether or not the UK should leave the EU, or how it should do so. It is simply about implementing a decision already made, a point of no return already passed,” he said.

“We asked the people of the UK if they wanted to leave the EU; they decided they did.”

Mr Davis’ intervention follows a visit to Ireland by the Prime Minister for talks with Irish premier Enda Kenny.

Both Mr Kenny and Mrs May yesterday insisted they do not want to see a return to the “border of the past” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, both in terms of trade and travel

“Of course there are elements of full membership of the customs union that would restrict our ability to trade and do trade agreements with other parts of the world,” Mrs May said.

“But I believe, and this is what we are working on, that we need to find a solution which enables us to have as seamless and frictionless a border as possible between Northern Ireland and Ireland so that we can continue to see the trade, the everyday movements, that we have seen up to now.”