LABOUR has tabled a cross-party Commons motion aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit before Theresa May’s successor takes power.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary, said his party would use its opposition time on Wednesday to try to give control of Parliament's agenda to MPs on Tuesday June 25.

The motion has been backed by Ian Blackford, the Westminster leader of the SNP, Sir Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat leader, and Sir Oliver Letwin, the former Conservative minister as well as Plaid Cymru and Green MPs.

Labour said if the motion passed: "MPs will have the chance to introduce measures, including legislation, that could help avoid a no-deal Brexit at the end of October.

"It would prevent a future prime minister proroguing Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit against the wishes of MPs."

The move comes after a number of high-profile contenders for the Tory leadership said they would be prepared to take the UK out of the EU without a deal if no new agreement had been reached by October 31. Indeed, some have suggested, if they won the leadership contest, they could shut down Parliament to prevent MPs blocking leaving the EU without a deal.

"The debate on Brexit in the Tory leadership contest has descended into the disturbing, the ludicrous and the reckless,” declared Sir Keir.

"None of the likely candidates for the top job has a credible plan for how to break the deadlock before the end of October. Instead, we have witnessed candidates openly advocating a damaging no-deal Brexit and even proposing dragging the Queen into politics by asking her to shut down Parliament to achieve this."

The London MP insisted that MPs could not be bystanders while the next Tory Prime Minister tried to crash the UK out of the EU without a deal and without the consent of the British people.

"That's why we are taking this latest measure to end the uncertainty and protect communities across the country.

"My challenge to MPs who disagree either with a no-deal Brexit or proroguing Parliament is to back this motion and act in the national interest," added Sir Keir.

Labour said that if passed, the motion, though binding, would not in itself legislate to prevent a no-deal.

A party source explained: "It provides the first step in the process that can help provide a legislative lock against no-deal on October 31."

He added MPs could use a debate on June 25 to "specify a future date to give consideration to legislation to help prevent no-deal on October 31".

Stephen Gethins for the SNP argued that any attempt by a new Tory PM to shut down Parliament to force a no-deal Brexit was “nothing short of a democratic outrage”.

The Fife MP said: “The office of Prime Minister must not be hijacked by a hard-line no deal Brexiteer and Scotland’s economic and social interests must not be left to the whims of a Tory leadership contest intent on inflicting their own extreme and damaging versions of leaving the EU.

“A no-deal Brexit could push the Scottish economy into a deep recession, similar in scale to the financial crash of 2008. That is a price that Scotland must not, and will not, pay.”

Mr Gethins went on: "As is now beyond doubt, there is no such thing as a good Brexit. Any form of Brexit will be devastating for Scotland, destroying up to 100,000 jobs, costing every person up to £2,300 a year, and inflicting lasting harm on public services and the economy.

"It's clear beyond doubt that Westminster is not working and the only way to properly protect our interests is by becoming an independent European nation," he added.