THERESA May has today defeated a backbench rebellion in the latest key Brexit decision.
But what have MPs decided in the Commons today and what does it mean? Here’s what we know so far…
May has escaped defeat by making a number of concessions to backbench MPsPRU What have MPs decided in the Commons today?The Commons were debating the 15 Lords amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill which is currently going through Parliament.
On the key item over a “meaningful vote”, Theresa May won the vote with a majority of just 26, narrowly avoiding a defeat.
After frantic last-minute discussions between Tory Whips and the rebels, enough concessions were made for them to back down, and the Government won the vote 324 votes to 298.
What does it mean?The government is understood to have accepted the first two parts of rebel MP Dominic Grieve’s amendment – which would hand Parliament much more control over the Brexit negotiations.
Ministers are conceding that within seven days of Mrs May agreeing a Brexit deal, it must be voted on in the Commons, and that if there if there is no deal by November 30, the Government needs approval from MPs on how to proceed.
This would effectively remove no-deal as a realistic option, with Parliament effectively in charge of negotiations.
The government effectively voted in favour of taking out a Lords amendment that would have removed the power of ministers to decide when retained EU law can be challenged in court.
Two Tory MPs – Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry – voted against the government.
Today’s debate marks the start of the government’s attempts to undo the majority of changes put forward by the House of Lords regarding the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Dominic Grieve has said Parliament would have “structured input” into what happened next to avoid a crisis.
But is not believed that the government are willing to agree to Mr Grieve’s call for MPs to take control of negotiations as a last resort.
More crunch votes are expected on the customs union tomorrow.
BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg urged caution on interpreting the “meaningful vote” outcome, tweeting: “govt source says only agreement is to keep talking, no actual concessions have been agreed, this might be done for tonight, but it is not over”.
Dr Phillip Lee, who earlier resigned as Justice Minister over the vote, has tweeted his “delight” that the government had agreed to introduce an amendment to the bill “which will give Parliament the voice I always wanted it to have in the Brexit process”.
If she makes the changes the rebels are demanding, Theresa May’s negotiating hand in Brussels will be weaker because the EU will know we cannot threaten to walk away from their negotiations and go it alone as MPs are likely to reject it in a vote.
What we know so far:
- MPs are voting this week on whether to accept or reject some of the 15 changes the House of Lords tried to slap on Theresa May’s flagship Bill
- TORY rebels threatened to defeat Theresa May on giving Parliament a say in her Brexit deal – but backed down at the 11th hour after ministers promised to make changes
- MRS MAY was dealt a blow this morning when Dr Philip Lee, dramatically quit before the vote – so he could oppose the Government’s Brexit policy
The second big vote comes tomorrow (Wednesday), when MPs decide on an amendment requiring the government to report on its progress in negotiating membership of a customs union with the EU.
May has a working majority of just 13, including the Democratic Unionist party, meaning in theory, just seven Tory MPs need to switch sides to cause a defeat.
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