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DON’T BLOCK BREXIT!

Peers warned against blocking Article 50 legislation as Commons set to send Brexit bill to the House for Lords for agreement

Members of the House of Lords praised MPs who voted to trigger Brexit talks last night as an "example to us all"

PEERS have been warned not to block or obstruct Brexit after the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50 last night.

Lords praised MPs for voting to support the will of the people, and one said it should be seen as an "example to us all".

 Yesterday MPs voted in favour of starting Brexit talks
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Yesterday MPs voted in favour of starting Brexit talksCredit: Getty Images

There are fears that with a Remain-supporting Upper Chamber, Lords could use the Brexit Bill to delay or block our exit from the EU.

The European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill was backed by 498 MPs to 114, a majority of 384, at second reading in the Commons. And David Davis laid out a Government White Paper today which confirmed Britain would leave the Single Market, and get back control of its borders.

The Bill will come to Peers later this month, who have to approve it before Article 50 can officially be triggered.

 Later this month the Bill will go to the Lords - where they also need to approve it
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Later this month the Bill will go to the Lords - where they also need to approve itCredit: AP:Associated Press

It could face its biggest challenge in the Lords - where the bloated Upper Chamber could support amendments from Labour or the Lib Dems which could delay or dilute Brexit.

Another suggestion being discussed is an amendment for a "meaningful" vote on the final EU Brexit deal - which could force Theresa May to go BACK to Brussels if politicians reject the negotiation.

Today Lord Bridges said the Government remained committed to triggering Brexit talks by the end of March.

He said that unlike other nations, the UK wished to enter a "new partnership"; with the EU, which reflected the fact that the UK had been a member and had its laws already "deeply embedded in our way of life".

Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said MPs who put the "supremacy of the democratic mandate" ahead of their personal views were an "example to us all".

Lord Bridges agreed with him and said: "The people have spoken and it is now for us to deliver on the instruction they have given us."

 Theresa May insists she will trigger Brexit by the end of March
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Theresa May insists she will trigger Brexit by the end of MarchCredit: PA:Press Association

And Lord Spicer said that as the people had voted to leave the EU and the elected Commons had voted to begin the process, "is there very much left for this House to do other than give safe passage to the Bill when it comes before this House?"

Tory former minister Lord Blencathra urged ministers to tell "the remaining remoaners to start having faith that this is a great country and we can be an even better country once we are outside the straitjacket of the dying EU".

Tory Lord Cormack urged ministers to enter the negotiations as "talks with friends and allies" and warned there had been "far too much underlying hostility" so far.

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