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May wins 'meaningful vote' victory after lead rebel Grieve accepts compromise - Politics live May wins 'meaningful vote' victory after lead rebel Grieve accepts compromise - Politics live
(35 minutes later)
There were some unedifying scenes in the Commons today as some sick and some heavily pregnant MPs had to go through the lobbies. My colleague Peter Walker has these details.
One of the effects of both the vote and the decision of the government to not allow MPs’ votes to be counted merely by their presence in parliament saw curious scenes in the corridor adjoining the lobby outside the Commons.
Labour MP Naz Shah was taken through in a wheelchair – she has been in hospital with severe back pain – while Laura Pidcock, her heavily-pregnant colleague, walked out from the vote and was helped away in another wheelchair.
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem deputy leader, who is two days past her birth due date, managed the walk unaided.
The complications come from the fact that while MPs can be “paired” – if they are absent an opposing MP will also not vote – there is not as yet a system for proxy votes, something the Labour MP Harriet Harman has been campaigning for.
There is quite a bit of anger about this from pundits and MPs.
Naz Shah is wheeled out of the chamber after voting. Usual convention re sick MPs being ''nodded through'' has been scrapped today, and it's really not a good look. pic.twitter.com/ZSfAATPKrd
the MP spotted by @elliotttimes being helped out of car was Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, who's been in hospital the last three days. She was meant to drop in for 10 minutes in the car park, but Tories are refusing to "nod through" her vote. She'll have to stay THREE HOURS...
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says she thinks the government should be worried by how tight the vote was, even after the compromise was struck with Grieve.
Govt will be relieved to have avoided another defeat - but closeness after compromise suggests big problems ahead https://t.co/cj615tETZH
Trouble ahead for PM if Tory rebels vote for staying in customs union - ‘if’ https://t.co/6VjYa4fvWm
Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer has reacted to the result. There is clearly a lot of frustration on the Labour benches that a win against the government was possible.
This is a disappointing result and comes after Theresa May is forced once again to try to buy off her own MPs at the eleventh hour.
Labour has long argued that Parliament should have a proper role in the Brexit negotiations and a meaningful vote on the terms upon which we leave the European Union. We will continue to make that argument and press our case at every opportunity.
Leading Tory Brexiter John Redwood said he was “very satisfied” with the result. “I never rashly doubted we would win, as otherwise it would frustrate the will of the British people,” he said.
Asked why the Tory rebels in both houses pushed the issue so long he said: “You’ll have to ask them. But I do think the Lords made a big mistake.”
It is a cruel irony that many of those making the amendments are of the generation of politicians who gave away so many powers to Brussels. And now it seems their main aim is to stop us from getting back those powers.
Dominic Grieve voted against his own amendment, but six Tories voted in favour, including Philip Lee, the former justice minister who resigned in protest of the government’s Brexit strategy.
The six rebels were:
Heidi Allen
Ken Clarke
Philip Lee
Antoinette Sandbach
Anna Soubry
Sarah Wollaston
Missing are several MPs who have been outspoken on Brexit, including Nicky Morgan, Stephen Hammond, Bob Neill and Jonathan Djanogly.
Labour whips will be pleased that they have limited their rebels to just four.
Frank Field
Kate Hoey
John Mann
Graham Stringer
There may be some significant abstentions too, which we’ll get shortly.
Dominic Grieve has spoken to my colleague Peter Walker after the result of the vote. He says he believes reaching a compromise was the right solution, even if some of his allies disagreed.
We’ve managed to reach a compromise without breaking the government - and I think some people don’t realise we were getting quite close to that.
I completely respect the view of my colleagues who disagree, but if we can compromise we can achieve more.
The Lords amendment, drafted by Dominic Grieve, is defeated, after that last minute concession.The Lords amendment, drafted by Dominic Grieve, is defeated, after that last minute concession.
The government won by 16 votes - it will be interesting when we get the final stats about which Tory rebels rebelled, and which Labour MPs joined them.The government won by 16 votes - it will be interesting when we get the final stats about which Tory rebels rebelled, and which Labour MPs joined them.
Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake has seized on the ‘Grand Old Duke of York’ nickname.Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake has seized on the ‘Grand Old Duke of York’ nickname.
Just like the Grand Old Duke of York, Grieve has marched his troops to the top of the hill only to get cold feet and retreat with his tail between his legs.Just like the Grand Old Duke of York, Grieve has marched his troops to the top of the hill only to get cold feet and retreat with his tail between his legs.
Despite the clear calamity that May and Davis are making of Brexit, the so-called Tory rebels have lost their bottle and caved into yet another pathetic government compromise that isn’t worth the paper it is written on.Despite the clear calamity that May and Davis are making of Brexit, the so-called Tory rebels have lost their bottle and caved into yet another pathetic government compromise that isn’t worth the paper it is written on.
There are potentially far more significant battles to come on a raft of bills, including the trade bill and customs bill, where many Tory MPs have put their names to amendments on a future customs union. But the “meaningful vote” is probably the least controversial issue so it does not bode well for the success of those amendments.There are potentially far more significant battles to come on a raft of bills, including the trade bill and customs bill, where many Tory MPs have put their names to amendments on a future customs union. But the “meaningful vote” is probably the least controversial issue so it does not bode well for the success of those amendments.
It seems like Labour MPs were forced to make it into Parliament from their sick beds, as was raised in the chamber in a point of order earlier. This from the Times’ Sam Coates.It seems like Labour MPs were forced to make it into Parliament from their sick beds, as was raised in the chamber in a point of order earlier. This from the Times’ Sam Coates.
I’ve just seen a Labour MP in a wheelchair with a paper sick bucket looking in lots of pain after voting (because Tories refused MPs who r ill to vote from the car park). It was quite a sad sight.I’ve just seen a Labour MP in a wheelchair with a paper sick bucket looking in lots of pain after voting (because Tories refused MPs who r ill to vote from the car park). It was quite a sad sight.
We expect the result in a few minutes. The government is now expected to win comfortably.We expect the result in a few minutes. The government is now expected to win comfortably.
Just before the vote, the Labour MP George Howarth joked in the final speech in the Commons that Dominic Grieve is “in danger of becoming the Grand Old Duke of York.”Just before the vote, the Labour MP George Howarth joked in the final speech in the Commons that Dominic Grieve is “in danger of becoming the Grand Old Duke of York.”
ITV’s Robert Peston has an explanation of sorts from one of the Tory would-be rebels. In essence, they believe there will always be a way to force a vote.ITV’s Robert Peston has an explanation of sorts from one of the Tory would-be rebels. In essence, they believe there will always be a way to force a vote.
This from one of the Rebel Remainers explains the climb down from some but not all of them. It says that if there is no Brexit deal, government will inevitably face debate on an amendable motion - though not one that would bind May pic.twitter.com/xTcYuB2ij4This from one of the Rebel Remainers explains the climb down from some but not all of them. It says that if there is no Brexit deal, government will inevitably face debate on an amendable motion - though not one that would bind May pic.twitter.com/xTcYuB2ij4
The EU Withdrawal bill will need to go back to the Lords one final time, but we don’t expect the Lords to send it back again, meaning the legislation will finally pass. It may be as early as tonight.The EU Withdrawal bill will need to go back to the Lords one final time, but we don’t expect the Lords to send it back again, meaning the legislation will finally pass. It may be as early as tonight.
Anna Soubry is speaking now in the debate. She jokes she has a throat infection because the editor of the Daily Mail has a tiny doll in her image and is “sticking pins in its throat.”Anna Soubry is speaking now in the debate. She jokes she has a throat infection because the editor of the Daily Mail has a tiny doll in her image and is “sticking pins in its throat.”
She says she agrees with Antoinette Sandbach’s arguments, calling her “a remarkably brave woman.”She says she agrees with Antoinette Sandbach’s arguments, calling her “a remarkably brave woman.”
Anna Soubry says she will vote for the amendment\Anna Soubry says she will vote for the amendment\
She says that she is convinced the promise needs to be in statute. She says the 48% who voted to remain “have been silenced and abused.”She says that she is convinced the promise needs to be in statute. She says the 48% who voted to remain “have been silenced and abused.”
Tory veteran Ken Clarke, the most dogged of the Tory rebels, said that he is disappointed with the lack of time for debate and says it is obvious that the government wants to deny Parliament a say where it can, shown by the legal fight needed to get a vote on Article 50.
Clarke said he believed the government could be defeated. He jokes he was not invited to negotiations with the prime minister, “I don’t blame the chief whip for that... I think he knew I would take a rather strong line.”
He says that the government is going back on an agreement brokered last week, in favour of a “convoluted deal” which he says will spark a new row about the Speaker’s powers.
Jacob Rees-Mogg is on his feet in the chamber now. He says the House still retains its constitutional power.
The powers and the authority and the rights of this House remain intact and that is not dependent on whether a meaningful vote is amendable or unamendable.
He says the legislation “will ensure the government can pursue its objectives... that is very important.”
Rees-Mogg pays tribute to the chief whip, Julian Smith, who is sitting in the chamber, he says he has been tactful in his discussions and says he has brokered a compromise to maintain the integrity of the House and keep most of his colleagues onside.
It sends the prime minister to the negotiating table, and the secretary of state, with a united House of Commons behind them.
Tory MP Antoinette Sandbach, a close ally of Grieve’s and one of the rebel MPs who voted against the government in December is speaking now. She has a quiver in her voice.
She says her constituents were under no illusions about her concerns about a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal when they re-elected her.
Sandbach says she often accused of wanting to tie the government’s hands. “Nothing can be further from the truth.”
She says that the amendment concerns steps that would be taken when negotiations have broken down. She says she strongly believes negotiations will succeed.
Not to have a process in place should negotiations collapse would be irresponsible. And what is more, this amendment will ensure that when the PM sits down to negotiate, she does so with the full backing of parliament. Far from binding the prime minister, it strengthens her hand.
Sandbach says the amendment “delivers on a commitment to take back control.”
Sandbach suggests she will back the amendment, despite Grieve’s concession
Theresa May has just arrived in the Commons. Reporters who are in the chamber says she is looking happy and relaxed. At the vote last week, she was hastily summoning rebels to her private Commons office to offer a compromise.
Here’s the snap reaction to Dominic Grieve’s concession from MPs and the commentariat.
This is the withering verdict from Labour MP Caroline Flint. Grieve is moving his amendment anyway to allow MPs to express their view, though he will not support it.
So if I understand it Dominic Grieve is asking the House to vote on his amendment which he’s not supporting.
The Spectator’s James Forsyth says the deal means the day is delayed (yet again) when May will have to face down one wing of her party.
So, the great confrontation--which would tell us if the Tory rebels have the numbers to defeat the govt--has been put off to another day again
That’s a view shared by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
2. It also postpones the day (again) when Theresa May faces down either wing of her party - as such it this will frustrate her internal critics again, one said, 'usual https://t.co/adR6kw8YFd from number 10'
Who has won? The general consensus is that the government has given not much away, but Grieve has got enough to save some face. Here’s the Sun’s Tom Newton-Dunn.
So who blinked the most? A backbench motion in Govt time seems to be the key concession by ministers (which Grieve said he insisted on). The effect is Parliament v Govt stand-off postponed until endgame, rather than being resolved today.
The Telegraph’s Gordon Rayner points out that the decision on the final motion will now be in the hands of the Speaker. Bercow has apparently told friends one of the reasons he wants to extend his time as Speaker is to see through Brexit.
Has Theresa May just put the future of Brexit in the hands of John Bercow? Govt says it will be Speaker's call if there is a row over whether MPs should be able to direct Govt on Brexit negotiations
Labour MP Angela Eagle says his power is still constrained.
Up to the Speaker but he is constrained by the standing orders which don’t give him the power to declare that a neutral motion is somehow not neutral #EUWithdrawalBill https://t.co/dIF9H59lIm
Grieve is now talking about the Davis compromise statement (see 1.53pm), which he says will be tabled as written ministerial statement tomorrow.
He says this confirms that it will be up to the speaker to decide whether a motion can be amended.
And he reads out the final paragraph, saying “as is the convention”, the Commons can hold debates and votes.
Labour’s Chris Bryant intervenes. He says in recent years the government has often ignored Commons votes. The only thing with legislative effect is legislation. That is why there must be a meaningful vote.
Grieve says the government could ignore an amendment as voted on under the Lords amendment. That could be be enforced in law, he says. It would have to be enforced by the Commons itself - by a confidence motion or other means.
He says he has considered what the PM has told him about her anxieties. His own judgement is that he should “accept the government’s difficulty and support it”, he says.
Leading Tory rebel Dominic Grieve says he accepts government’s compromise and will back government. That means Theresa May is now on course to win the vote.
Grieve says, if MPs want a vote on his amendment, he will allow one. But he will not be voting for it any more, he says.
He ends with a final point. He says there is enough “madness” around to make him wonder whether “collective sanity” has been destroyed.
And bullying is making it worse, he says. He says people are afraid of backing down in case someone says they have lost.
(I’ve got to finish now. I’m handing over to my colleague Jessica Elgot.)
Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former attorney general, is speaking now.
He says he he wants to say “how deeply I object to the way [the House of Lords] get vilified for doing the job we have asked them to do”.
Grieve talks through the history of the various “meaningful vote” proposals. (There is a quick guide here.) He says he thought the original Lords amendment (Hailsham 1, you could call it) included a mandatory element, involving parliament giving directions to the government. That was unprecedented since the civil war, he says.
He says he negotiated an alternative last week. That fell through. He says he makes no criticism of anyone in relation to that. Sometimes negotiations fall through.
The alternative was tabled in the Lords.
Two concerns were raised, he says.
First, whether the matter would be justiciable (ie, whether someone could take the government to court for ignoring what the Act said).
Second, there was an argument that having this in legislation could make it harder for the government to get a good deal.
He says he found it hard to ignore this argument, even though, as is well know, he thinks Brexit is a big mistake.
Starmer says the Lords amendment would ensure that, if the Commons voted down the withdrawal agreement, there would be order, not chaos.
He urges MPs to vote for it.
Labour’s Ruth Smeeth asks Starmer to confirm that it is Labour’s policy that the UK will leave the EU in March next year.
Starmer says that is Labour’s position.
Starmer says the government originally said MPs should not vote on the deal. They said that would tie the hands of the government. But eventually the government agreed to one, and the sky did not fall in.
This is not frustrating the Brexit process, he says. He says this is about ensuring there is a process.