Government defeated in Lords over giving MPs 'meaningful vote' over final Brexit deal

Peers in the House of Lords
PA
Chloe Chaplain18 June 2018
WEST END FINAL

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The so-called 'meaningful vote' amendment to the Brexit bill will be debated again in the Commons after it was backed by the House of Lords.

The Government suffered another Lords defeat over the amendment on Monday evening.

Peers decided that parliament should have a say on the outcome of the EU negotiations and voted in favour of doing so by 354 to 235.

This will mean the issue will be sent back to the House Of Commons to be debated and voted on again on Wednesday.

The change to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, tabled by Viscount Hailsham, would require the Government to allow MPs to vote on how it would proceed in the absence of a Brexit deal by January 21 next year.

Theresa May had earlier warned against a rebellion
REUTERS

It came after former attorney general Dominic Grieve warned that the Tory rebels he leads could "collapse" the Government if they disagree with the final outcome of withdrawal talks, and had the right to a proper say on Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May has warned against any moves to "tie her hands" during negotiations with Brussels, saying on Monday that Parliament must not be able to "overturn the will of the British people".

The Prime Minister said she had been listening to the concerns of critics but the legislation must not restrict her freedom in talks with Brussels.

"As we keep faith with people who voted to leave the European Union, and many of those who didn't but are now saying 'let's just get on with it', we need to make sure we are putting this legislation into place," she said.

"But as we do that, of course we have been listening to concerns about the role of Parliament, but we need to make sure that Parliament can't tie the Government's hands in negotiation and can't overturn the will of the British people."

Under Government plans, if MPs reject the agreement reached by Mrs May with Brussels, or if no deal has been obtained by January 21, Parliament will be offered the opportunity to vote on a "neutral motion" stating it has considered a minister's statement on the issue.

Crucially, the motion will be unamendable, meaning MPs cannot insert a requirement for Mrs May to go back to the negotiating table, extend the Brexit transition or revoke the UK's withdrawal under Article 50.

Mr Grieve insisted rebels would only accept a "meaningful vote" and not the "slavery clause" the Government was offering.

Lord Hailsham said that Mr Grieve, who watched the Brexit Bill debate at the bar of the Lords, believed he had made an agreement with the Solicitor General last week but it appeared "senior ministers" had objected to it and it had now been "repudiated".

The peer said he was asking the Lords to allow MPs to vote on what Mr Grieve believed was agreed with the Government.

He added: "The Government's amendment not only fails to deliver the promised meaningful vote.

"That would be an act of omission and bad enough. But this is far worse. The Government is seeking to make the promised meaningful vote impossible and that is an act of commission contrary to what ministers have promised."

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