This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexil-bill-delayed-eu-withdrawal-vote-commons-revolts-tory-rebels-labour-theresa-may-a8006831.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brexit Bill delayed over Government fears it would be defeated in Commons revolt Brexit bill delayed over Government fears it would be defeated in Commons revolt
(about 4 hours later)
Brexit preparations have been plunged into further chaos after the key legislation was shelved for up to a month because of Commons revolts.Brexit preparations have been plunged into further chaos after the key legislation was shelved for up to a month because of Commons revolts.
The flagship EU Withdrawal Bill is not expected to be put back before MPs until mid November. It was originally due to be debated this week. The flagship European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is not expected to be put back before MPs until mid-November. It was originally due to be debated this week.
The move follows an avalanche of amendments – some signed by significant numbers of Tory backbenchers – which threaten the Government with defeat.The move follows an avalanche of amendments – some signed by significant numbers of Tory backbenchers – which threaten the Government with defeat.
Labour immediately seized on the delay as further evidence that the withdrawal process was unravelling – even as the exit talks remain deadlocked in Brussels. Labour immediately seized on the delay as further evidence that the withdrawal process was unravelling.
Keir Starmer, Labour's Brexit spokesman, said: "This is further proof that the government's Brexit strategy is in paralysis. Sir Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary, said: “This is further proof that the Government’s Brexit strategy is in paralysis.
“The negotiations are in deadlock and now a crucial piece of legislation is facing further delay.”“The negotiations are in deadlock and now a crucial piece of legislation is facing further delay.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman did not dispute that the Bill would not now face line-by-line scrutiny until after a Commons recess, which ends on November 13. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman did not dispute that line-by-line scrutiny of the bill would be delayed until after a Commons recess, which ends on 13 November.
The latest hold-up follows warnings, from both veteran pro-EU Tory Ken Clarke and Labour, that Parliament will use the EU Withdrawal Bill to veto a “no deal” Brexit. The latest hold-up follows warnings, from both veteran pro-EU Tory Ken Clarke and Labour, that Parliament will use the EU withdrawal bill to veto a no-deal Brexit.
A key amendment, co-tabled by the former Conservative Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, demands that the Prime Minister’s plan for a two-year transition period is written into law. A key amendment, co-tabled by Mr Clarke, demands that the Prime Minister’s plan for a two-year transition period is written into law.
It would prevent the Government setting an “exit day” if that transition is not agreed in Brussels.It would prevent the Government setting an “exit day” if that transition is not agreed in Brussels.
This week, Mr Clarke warned Ms May: “This is a Parliamentary democracy – Parliament can do practically whatever it likes.” This week, Mr Clarke warned Ms May: “This is a parliamentary democracy – Parliament can do practically whatever it likes.”
Ministers are weighing up a concession on a second key amendment to give MPs more muscle, by requiring the final vote on the negotiations to form a separate Act of Parliament. Ministers are weighing up a concession on a second key amendment to give MPs more muscle, by requiring the final vote on the negotiations to form a separate act of Parliament.
They face further Conservative challenges over the use of ancient “Henry VIII powers” to bypass MPs in making post-Brexit laws. They face further Conservative challenges over the use of “Henry VIII powers” to bypass MPs in making post-Brexit laws.
The delay is crucial – and embarrassing - because the Bill is the mechanism for pasting EU law onto the UK statute book before Brexit day, in March 2019, to avoid a legislative “black hole”. The delay is crucial – and embarrassing – because the bill is the mechanism for pasting EU law onto the UK statute book before Brexit day, in March 2019, to avoid a legislative “black hole”.
There will be a further hold-up when the Lords eventually gets its teeth into the legislation – which is now not expected until next year. There will be a further hold-up when the Lords eventually gets its teeth into the legislation – which is now not expected until next year.
One Government source admitted to the BBC that the Bill could not yet be brought back to the Commons because there “is not enough political agreement yet”. One government source admitted to the BBC that the bill could not yet be brought back to the Commons because there “is not enough political agreement yet”.
However, a source at the Department for Exiting the European Union insisted it was not being delayed - because a date for it had never been set. However, a source at the Brexit Department insisted it was not being delayed – because a date for it had never been set.
However, it was widely expected that the Bill had to enter its committee stage in early October, if the Government was to have any chance of getting it through Parliament by the Spring. But it was widely expected that the bill had to enter its committee stage in early October, if the Government was to have any chance of getting it through Parliament by the spring.
Speaking on the BBC's Daily Politics, Brexit Minister Robin Walker said MPs would be debating it “within weeks” and that it would offer “continuity and certainty” as the UK leaves the EU. Speaking on the BBC’s Daily Politics, Brexit minister Robin Walker said MPs would be debating it “within weeks” and that it would offer “continuity and certainty” as the UK leaves the EU.