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Theresa May wins critical Brexit vote after ‘offering last-ditch concessions to rebel Tories’
THERESA May has defeated a backbench rebellion today - but only by caving in and making last-ditch concessions which could rule out a no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister was left weakened when she was forced into a climb-down on a ";meaningful vote" as she faced a humiliating defeat in the Commons this afternoon.
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After frantic last-minute discussions between Tory Whips, Mrs May herself, and the rebels, enough concessions were made for them to back down, and the Government won the vote 324 votes to 298 - a majority of 26.
Following an utterly chaotic day in Parliament the Government is understood to have accepted talks on rebel MP Dominic Grieve's amendment - which could hand Parliament much more control over the Brexit talks later this year.
Rebels said Mrs May conceded that within seven days of agreeing a Brexit deal, it must be voted on in the Commons, and that if there if there is no deal agreed by November 30, the Government needs approval from MPs on what to do next.
Crucially, this could effectively remove walking away with no deal as a realistic option, with Parliament effectively in charge of negotiations.
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What has Theresa May 'given in' to the rebels on today?
TORY rebel Dominic Grieve has proposed a plan for what will happen after Theresa May gets a deal with Brussels - which will give MPs their say on it.
His change wants three things:
- Within seven days of a Brexit deal being done with Brussels, MPs would then have to vote on whether to approve it
- If there is still no deal by the end of November, MPs would have another vote on what happens next
- If there is no agreement by February next year, a third vote would take place
Theresa May has supposedly agreed on the first two parts of the plan, and discussions will take place on others.
Any to the crucial bill will be made when it goes back to the House of Lords next week - but nothing is set in stone yet.
Tory minister Robert Buckland said today that there was "much merit" in his ideas and he was willing to have a "structured discussion" on it with him.
Mr Grieve said after today's vote: "This debate in Parliament today is not about second referendums, it is about trying to manage what is an extremely risky and complex process as well as possible."
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns goes to anti-Brexit protest and stands up for the vote to leave the EU
If she makes the changes the rebels are demanding, Mrs 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.
Brussels will be relieved at this because they don't want us to quit without a deal - as they need our trade much more than we need theirs.
But tonight both sides were claiming victory in the compromise - and the Prime Minister's key Brexit fight is now delayed for another day.
Remainers insisted they had forced the Government into accepting their version of Brexit and giving in to MPs, but Leave-backers insisted that no firm concessions had yet been made, and rebels had been made to water down their plans.
And confirming that ministers won't just cave in totally, a Brexit Department spokesperson said this evening that any changes to the Bill must not just hand MPs the keys to our EU exit.
They said: "On the meaningful vote we have agreed to look for a compromise when this goes back to the Lords.
"The Brexit Secretary has set out three tests that any new amendment has to meet – not undermining the negotiations, not changing the constitutional role of Parliament and Government in negotiating international treaties, and respecting the referendum result.
"We have not, and will not, agree to the House of Commons binding the Government's hands in the negotiations."
Labour's Keir Starmer said that today's developments made a no-deal Brexit more likely, but added: "We will wait and see the details of this concession and will hold Ministers to account to ensure it lives up to the promises they have made to Parliament".
MPs decided to throw out several other changes the Lords had made to the Brexit Bill - but will vote on a customs arrangement change tomorrow.
One altered amendment on upholding the Northern Ireland Act was also passed by MPs.
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
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Just before the vote Tory rebels Sarah Wollaston and Antoinette Sandbach both said they would back the Prime Minister - after they were promised changes when the Bill comes back to the House of Lords on Monday.
Only two Tories - Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry weren't convinced and did not back the Government.
More crunch votes are expected on the customs union tomorrow too.
In a tense debate this afternoon MPs were told they must throw out meddling Brexit changes from the House of Lords which threaten to undermine the result of our historic referendum.
The Brexit Secretary said that MPs should reject anything that seeks to threaten the vote or undermine it.
Opening the first of two days of debate in the Commons, David Davis told MPs that the Bill had a "clear, simple purpose" - to make sure Britain's laws are ready for Brexit.
He said that ministers had listened carefully to criticism and had made a number of sensible suggested changes.
But he insisted that the Government would refuse to accept anything which tried to stop Brexit from happening at all, and MPs must deliver for the people.
He said this lunchtime: "Where amendments have been made that seek to, or inadvertently, undermine the essential purpose of the Bill - to provide a smooth and orderly exit - or undermine the referendum result, we must reject them."
Some of the changes would "make it impossible to deliver the smooth and orderly exit we want" and would tie their hands in talks with Brussels, he added.
And it would be "not practical, not desirable and not appropriate" for Parliament to dictate how Brexit should look.
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But pro-Leave MPs lined up this afternoon to demand MPs ensure the Bill is passed smoothly and they respect what the people want.
Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash said the plans to give more powers to MPs if the Brexit Bill were "nonsense" and stressed: "The decision was taken by the people. We gave them that decision and we have to stand by it."
And Labour's Frank Field, who represents an area which voted to leave, stormed: "If we pass what the Lords is asking for, we will be sending our negotiators back naked into the negotiating room.
"The EU will know the Government is beaten and they can impose any terms they want."
Brexiteer Sir Edward Leigh said the amendments were "wrecking the will of the people" and democracy.
Issuing a rallying cry to MPs, he said: "Parliament - don’t stand against the people - implement their will!"
Leading Brexiteer Kate Hoey added: "The people of this country will see through this, this is really about actually trying to go back on Brexit.
"We said it in the letter that went to everyone - this is your decision, the Government will implement what you decide."
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MOST READ IN POLITICS
A compromise amendment on the customs union - which was set to be another crunch point tomorrow - was signed last night between warring Leavers and Remainers.
They agreed to unite behind a deal which would see the Government pledge to agree a "customs arrangement" with the EU, rather than a "customs union".
But this is likely to come up again in the coming weeks in the Trade Bill.
MPs and ministers have been arguing for weeks about what our customs relationship will look like after Brexit - and have yet to come to a firm arrangement.
This buys the Government time to work on their plans more.
How have meddling peers wrecked Theresa May’s Brexit bill and can she overturn the changes?
The House of Lords has passed 15 amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill but only a few are expected to make it into law after the Commons has its say- here they all are:
Keeping Britain in the customs union
The first Lords amendment to be passed would force the Government to negotiate with the EU to keep Britain in the customs union after Brexit.
EEA membership after Brexit
Perhaps the most damaging amendment for the Government’s Brexit plan is a motion to propel Britain into the European Economic Area.
Scrapping exit day
The bill contains a clause stating that Britain MUST leave the EU on March 29 next year, in order to stop ministers backsliding on the exact date of Brexit.
Hanging on to EU rights
Peers voted to incorporate the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights into British law, as well as the existing Human Rights Act which will be unaffected by Brexit.
Keeping the border open to refugees
Lord Dubs, who came to the UK as a child refugee, wrote an amendment which requires the Government to maintain current rules on refugees.
Beheading Henry VIII
The Lords want to restrict the Government to use so-called Henry VIII powers to push through technical details of Brexit without holding a vote of Parliament only when "necessary”.
Final say for Parliament
The Lords voted to give Parliament a "meaningful vote" on the terms of Britain's withdrawal deal, taking the final say away from ministers.
Protecting the Good Friday Agreement
One amendment is designed to preserve peace in Northern Ireland by upholding the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
Staying in touch with Europe
An amendment introduced by the Bishop of Leeds ensures that Britain can choose to mirror EU laws and stay a member of specific European agencies after Brexit
More scrutiny on the details
Peers voted to expand the role of the "sifting committee" which examines how ministers make technical amendments to existing laws.
EU regulations enshrined in law
One of the Lords amendment aims to keep European laws on employment, health and safety, and the environment on Britain's statute book for good.
Curbs on ministers' powers
Lib Dem peer Lord Beith managed to win an amendment which ties ministers' hands on future changes to the law.
Overturning laws which defy EU
The EU Withdrawal Bill states that the general principles behind European law should be transferred into British law after Brexit.
Handing MPs a veto over talks
One of the most radical amendments would force ministers to get the permission of Parliament before negotiating the terms of Britain's future trade with the EU.
Green laws remain in place
The final Lords amendment, passed on Wednesday night, would enshrine Europe's environmental principles in British law.