This article is from the source 'guardian' 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 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/12/brexit-withdrawal-bill-negotiations-rebels-meaningful-vote
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Brexit bill negotiations enter frantic final hours | Brexit bill negotiations enter frantic final hours |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Frantic negotiations to prevent a damaging government defeat over parliament’s ability to block a no-deal Brexit look set to come down to the wire, with rebels and government whips locked in deep discussions hours before the vote. | Frantic negotiations to prevent a damaging government defeat over parliament’s ability to block a no-deal Brexit look set to come down to the wire, with rebels and government whips locked in deep discussions hours before the vote. |
| The mood appeared to shift against the government over the course of the afternoon. The justice minister Philip Lee resigned on the morning of the vote and suggested he would rebel against the government. | The mood appeared to shift against the government over the course of the afternoon. The justice minister Philip Lee resigned on the morning of the vote and suggested he would rebel against the government. |
| Justine Greening, a former education secretary, suggested she would back the amendment, telling the Commons it was “sensible to have a structured process to deal with the different scenarios this House may face”. | Justine Greening, a former education secretary, suggested she would back the amendment, telling the Commons it was “sensible to have a structured process to deal with the different scenarios this House may face”. |
| Most of the original 11 rebels on the meaningful vote amendment, led by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, have also indicated that they will stand firm. One told the Guardian that at least a couple more MPs were considering joining the rebel alliance. | Most of the original 11 rebels on the meaningful vote amendment, led by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, have also indicated that they will stand firm. One told the Guardian that at least a couple more MPs were considering joining the rebel alliance. |
| Opening the debate in parliament, the Brexit secretary, David Davis, said the government could not accept anything that could undermine Theresa May, hinting that the provisions in amendments proposed by Lords and Tory rebels would hamper negotiations. | Opening the debate in parliament, the Brexit secretary, David Davis, said the government could not accept anything that could undermine Theresa May, hinting that the provisions in amendments proposed by Lords and Tory rebels would hamper negotiations. |
| “We have listened wherever possible to sensible suggestions that have been made to improve the bill,” he said. “But 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.” | “We have listened wherever possible to sensible suggestions that have been made to improve the bill,” he said. “But 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.” |
| Downing Street had said it would not accept a compromise amendment offered by Grieve, which gave more flexibility than the Lords amendment. However, in a sign the government saw the prospect of defeat looming, solicitor general Robert Buckland intervened from the front bench saying there was “much merit’ to parts of the compromise amendment and asked for more time to meet Grieve to discuss it, offering to use it as the basis of “a structured discussion ahead of the Lords stages” in exchange for support for the government on Tuesday. | Downing Street had said it would not accept a compromise amendment offered by Grieve, which gave more flexibility than the Lords amendment. However, in a sign the government saw the prospect of defeat looming, solicitor general Robert Buckland intervened from the front bench saying there was “much merit’ to parts of the compromise amendment and asked for more time to meet Grieve to discuss it, offering to use it as the basis of “a structured discussion ahead of the Lords stages” in exchange for support for the government on Tuesday. |
| Grieve, the former attorney general who has been a leading figure in the Conservative rebellion, suggested that would not be enough to prevent a rebellion. | Grieve, the former attorney general who has been a leading figure in the Conservative rebellion, suggested that would not be enough to prevent a rebellion. |
| The EU (Withdrawal) Bill repeals the 1972 Act which took the UK into the European Economic Area. In order to avoid a so-called cliff-edge, it then transposes all relevant EU law into British statute, so ministers are then at liberty to choose what should remain part of British law. | The EU (Withdrawal) Bill repeals the 1972 Act which took the UK into the European Economic Area. In order to avoid a so-called cliff-edge, it then transposes all relevant EU law into British statute, so ministers are then at liberty to choose what should remain part of British law. |
| Peers defeated the Government on 15 issues, introducing amendments on a wide range of issues, including membership of the customs union and European Economic Area (EEA) and the mechanism for MPs to get a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal. | Peers defeated the Government on 15 issues, introducing amendments on a wide range of issues, including membership of the customs union and European Economic Area (EEA) and the mechanism for MPs to get a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal. |
| The Government has accepted one of the Lords amendments, allowing the UK to continue to co-operate with EU agencies, which it says is already its policy. It opposes the other 14 and will be seeking to overturn them, though it has offered some compromises, including on the final deal vote in parliament. | The Government has accepted one of the Lords amendments, allowing the UK to continue to co-operate with EU agencies, which it says is already its policy. It opposes the other 14 and will be seeking to overturn them, though it has offered some compromises, including on the final deal vote in parliament. |
| The "meaningful vote" is now the only prospect of a government defeat after MPs reached a compromise over the customs union to kick the issue down the road until the new trade bill later this summer. That vote is expected to take place on Tuesday afternoon. The Government has promised MPs a vote on the final Brexit deal, but initially said it would be a simple "take it or leave it" choice. MPs want there to be a formal process for MPs to take control of the negotiation process should the government fail to reach a deal with the EU. | The "meaningful vote" is now the only prospect of a government defeat after MPs reached a compromise over the customs union to kick the issue down the road until the new trade bill later this summer. That vote is expected to take place on Tuesday afternoon. The Government has promised MPs a vote on the final Brexit deal, but initially said it would be a simple "take it or leave it" choice. MPs want there to be a formal process for MPs to take control of the negotiation process should the government fail to reach a deal with the EU. |
| The Bill will return to the Lords on June 18, kicking off a process of "Parliamentary ping-pong" which sees it bounce from House to House until agreement is reached. Once it has finally passed, more rebellions are likely on separate Bills on customs and trade which come before MPs next month, followed by legislation on future immigration rules later in the year and a Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill once the final Brexit deal is struck. | The Bill will return to the Lords on June 18, kicking off a process of "Parliamentary ping-pong" which sees it bounce from House to House until agreement is reached. Once it has finally passed, more rebellions are likely on separate Bills on customs and trade which come before MPs next month, followed by legislation on future immigration rules later in the year and a Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill once the final Brexit deal is struck. |
| Lee dealt a significant blow to the prime minister by resigning over the government’s handling of Brexit, which he said was detrimental to the lives of his constituents. | Lee dealt a significant blow to the prime minister by resigning over the government’s handling of Brexit, which he said was detrimental to the lives of his constituents. |
| His departure will increase the number of rebels planning to oppose the government on the key amendment to the bill, and could also encourage wavering backbenchers to join him. | His departure will increase the number of rebels planning to oppose the government on the key amendment to the bill, and could also encourage wavering backbenchers to join him. |
| The Tory MP, who supported remain at the referendum, said: “If in the future I am to look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them, I cannot in all good conscience support how our country’s exit from the EU looks set to be delivered.” | The Tory MP, who supported remain at the referendum, said: “If in the future I am to look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them, I cannot in all good conscience support how our country’s exit from the EU looks set to be delivered.” |
| MPs have said the government could lose the vote unless it offers concessions soon. In December, ministers conceded at the end of the debate, prompting Tory rebels to shout “too late” before the government was defeated. | MPs have said the government could lose the vote unless it offers concessions soon. In December, ministers conceded at the end of the debate, prompting Tory rebels to shout “too late” before the government was defeated. |
| As the debate opened, the Conservative chief whip, Julian Smith, hurried up and down the green benches of the Commons chamber, speaking urgently to groups of MPs. They included Grieve and another potential rebel, Stephen Hammond, and two more influential pro-Europe Tories, Greening and George Freeman. | As the debate opened, the Conservative chief whip, Julian Smith, hurried up and down the green benches of the Commons chamber, speaking urgently to groups of MPs. They included Grieve and another potential rebel, Stephen Hammond, and two more influential pro-Europe Tories, Greening and George Freeman. |
| Inbetween discussions, Smith spoke to ministers on the front benches, including May, scribbling notes on a Commons paper. | Inbetween discussions, Smith spoke to ministers on the front benches, including May, scribbling notes on a Commons paper. |
| Downing Street has officially ruled out backing Grieve’s 11th-hour amendment, tabled on Monday night, which would give parliament more control over the outcome should MPs vote down May’s final Brexit deal. It is now unlikely to be put to a vote unless No 10 reverses its decision. | Downing Street has officially ruled out backing Grieve’s 11th-hour amendment, tabled on Monday night, which would give parliament more control over the outcome should MPs vote down May’s final Brexit deal. It is now unlikely to be put to a vote unless No 10 reverses its decision. |
| The government has offered its own amendment that guarantees only a ministerial statement to parliament within 28 days. | The government has offered its own amendment that guarantees only a ministerial statement to parliament within 28 days. |
| Grieve and other Tory rebels have suggested they could back the Lords amendment, which has a much more expansive role for parliament, if the government does not compromise further. | Grieve and other Tory rebels have suggested they could back the Lords amendment, which has a much more expansive role for parliament, if the government does not compromise further. |
| On Tuesday, Grieve said he accepted that the Lords’ version was “not completely satisfactory” but said the government’s proposal did not go far enough either. “My own amendment is trying to bridge that gap,” he told the BBC. “It doesn’t affect the ability to negotiate a deal at all. It’s making perfectly sensible and reasonable safeguards for what is undoubtedly a highly risky business.” | On Tuesday, Grieve said he accepted that the Lords’ version was “not completely satisfactory” but said the government’s proposal did not go far enough either. “My own amendment is trying to bridge that gap,” he told the BBC. “It doesn’t affect the ability to negotiate a deal at all. It’s making perfectly sensible and reasonable safeguards for what is undoubtedly a highly risky business.” |
| The cabinet discussed the Brexit bill for around 20 minutes on Tuesday morning, No 10 said. “The prime minister said that the votes were important in terms of the message which they sent to Brussels. She said that anything which undermines the government at home would make negotiations with the EU more difficult,” the prime minister’s spokesman said. | The cabinet discussed the Brexit bill for around 20 minutes on Tuesday morning, No 10 said. “The prime minister said that the votes were important in terms of the message which they sent to Brussels. She said that anything which undermines the government at home would make negotiations with the EU more difficult,” the prime minister’s spokesman said. |
| The “meaningful vote” amendment is now the only potential government defeat, after remainers and Brexiters struck a compromise deal overnight over the customs union. Downing Street sources said they would back an alternative amendment on the proposal for “a customs arrangement”, tabled by the backbenchers Nicky Morgan, a remainer, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, a leading Brexiter. | The “meaningful vote” amendment is now the only potential government defeat, after remainers and Brexiters struck a compromise deal overnight over the customs union. Downing Street sources said they would back an alternative amendment on the proposal for “a customs arrangement”, tabled by the backbenchers Nicky Morgan, a remainer, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, a leading Brexiter. |
| However, on Tuesday pro-Europe Conservatives said they were winning fresh converts to the cause of keeping Britain in the European Economic Area (EEA). An amendment on the issue, which will be debated on Wednesday, is not expected to pass because the Labour frontbench will not back it. | However, on Tuesday pro-Europe Conservatives said they were winning fresh converts to the cause of keeping Britain in the European Economic Area (EEA). An amendment on the issue, which will be debated on Wednesday, is not expected to pass because the Labour frontbench will not back it. |
| The remainers plan to continue pushing for EEA membership when the trade and customs bills are discussed next month. And at least one Tory backbencher not previously identified as a rebel is expected to sign up. “It’s only going one way,” said one Conservative moderate. | The remainers plan to continue pushing for EEA membership when the trade and customs bills are discussed next month. And at least one Tory backbencher not previously identified as a rebel is expected to sign up. “It’s only going one way,” said one Conservative moderate. |
| Later in the Commons debate, Davis suggested that the meaningful vote amendment was a Trojan horse to keep the UK in the EU. “People keep using the phrase ‘meaningful vote’ but what it conceals in some cases is that they want to reverse the result of the referendum, and nothing we do will be organised to allow reversal of the result of the referendum,” he said. | Later in the Commons debate, Davis suggested that the meaningful vote amendment was a Trojan horse to keep the UK in the EU. “People keep using the phrase ‘meaningful vote’ but what it conceals in some cases is that they want to reverse the result of the referendum, and nothing we do will be organised to allow reversal of the result of the referendum,” he said. |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| Foreign policy | Foreign policy |
| Conservatives | Conservatives |
| House of Commons | House of Commons |
| European Union | European Union |
| David Davies | David Davies |
| Theresa May | |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |