Facing a potentially embarrassing parliamentary defeat on the matter, the government has accepted a Labour party motion calling on May to set out "the Government's plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked".
"We will publish, before Article 50 is triggered, a statement about our negotiating strategy and objectives," minister for government business David Lidington told the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Later today MPs will debate an Opposition Motion on the Government's plan for #Brexit. Find out more https://t.co/nTN47GJz8D
— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) December 7, 2016
Labour described the government's decision as a "hugely significant climbdown," demanding the government's plans be published "no later than January" to allow for proper scrutiny.
"We have had unnecessary uncertainty, speculation and a running commentary on the Government's likely approach," shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said.
"The Government have now agreed to publish that plan and to do so before Article 50 is invoked. Labour will hold the Government to account on this."
Gov't Calls on MPs to 'Respect UK's Wishes'
However, the government played down Labour's claims that it had performed a U-turn, insisting that it had always intended to publish Brexit plan for before March's planned triggering of Article 50.
Government officials also tried to turn the tables on opposition parties, adding an amendment to the Labour motion, which will ask MPs to "respect the wishes of the United Kingdom" by agreeing to the government's Brexit timetable.
I hope to see @peterkyle @CarolineLucas vote for the @UKLabour motion on #Brexit today showing that they respect UK #eureferendum result
— Cllr Tom Bewick (@Lab_Westbourne) December 7, 2016
The government says the amendment, which will be debated on Wednesday, will force opposition parties to show their hand on whether they support the government's pledge to trigger Article 50 by the end of March.
"The vote tonight will be the first opportunity for members of this house to decide whether or not they support the government's timetable on triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017," Lidington, told lawmakers.
I won't be falling into this Tory trap by voting for the Labour/Government motion on #brexit today. https://t.co/CHTyxfl1a1 pic.twitter.com/ZxR0NmT9tB
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) December 7, 2016
"Any right honourable member who votes against that motion will, in my view, be seeking to thwart the outcome of the referendum in the most profoundly undemocratic manner."
While Labour and the ruling Conservatives are tipped to back the motion, other minor pro-EU parties, such as the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the Scottish National Party (SNP), say they will vote against the government's amendment, describing it as a "trap" to supporting the government's Brexit plan.
UK Facing Brexit Legal Challenge
Regardless of the political arguments, lawmakers say the motion will bind the government to reveal some information about its negotiating position prior to triggering Article 50.
Despite government claims that it always intended to provide lawmakers with information on Brexit, opposition figures say the development will force the government to be more transparent on the matter.
Oppn Brexit debate: MPs vote at 7pm on Labour motion as amended by Govt; may be division only if Speaker takes SNP amendmt at start this pm
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) December 7, 2016
The debate also comes amid a government appeal against a High Court decision that stated that parliament should be given a say on the triggering of Article 50.
If the appeal is thrown out, it would force May to abandon plans to bypass parliament and kick-off EU divorce proceedings through the use of a Royal Prerogative.
