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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: No-deal opponents argue for Commons control | Brexit: No-deal opponents argue for Commons control |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Tory rebels and opposition MPs have cleared the first hurdle in their attempt to pass a law designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit. | Tory rebels and opposition MPs have cleared the first hurdle in their attempt to pass a law designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit. |
| Commons Speaker John Bercow granted them a debate and a vote on taking control of the Commons agenda. | Commons Speaker John Bercow granted them a debate and a vote on taking control of the Commons agenda. |
| If successful, they would be able to bring forward a bill seeking to delay the UK's exit date beyond 31 October. | If successful, they would be able to bring forward a bill seeking to delay the UK's exit date beyond 31 October. |
| No 10 officials have warned the prime minister will push for an election if they succeed. | No 10 officials have warned the prime minister will push for an election if they succeed. |
| The debate - granted under a Commons rule to allow urgent discussion - can last up to three hours, with the main vote expected about 22.00 BST. | |
| Earlier, Conservative MP Phillip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats ahead of the Commons showdown. | Earlier, Conservative MP Phillip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats ahead of the Commons showdown. |
| His defection means Boris Johnson no longer has a working majority. | His defection means Boris Johnson no longer has a working majority. |
| In a letter to the prime minister, Dr Lee said Brexit divisions had "sadly transformed this once great party into something more akin to a narrow faction in which one's Conservatism is measured by how recklessly one wants to leave the European Union". | |
| 'Last opportunity' | |
| More than 10 Conservative MPs rose to their feet in support of the emergency debate application, moved by colleague Sir Oliver Letwin. | More than 10 Conservative MPs rose to their feet in support of the emergency debate application, moved by colleague Sir Oliver Letwin. |
| MPs are asked to stand to show their support if there are audible objections in the Commons chamber. | MPs are asked to stand to show their support if there are audible objections in the Commons chamber. |
| Opening the debate, Sir Oliver said this week would be the last for Parliament to block a no-deal exit, before it was due to be suspended next week. | Opening the debate, Sir Oliver said this week would be the last for Parliament to block a no-deal exit, before it was due to be suspended next week. |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged MPs to support the move, arguing it would be the "last opportunity" for Parliament to block a no deal. | |
| "If don't take action today, we may not get another chance," he said, adding the government had set the country on a "destructive" course. | |
| But Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg criticised the Speaker's decision to allow a vote on the debate, arguing it was "constitutionally irregular". | |
| Last-ditch efforts to get the Tory rebels on side have been taking place, but there are thought to be about 15 who have not been won over. | |
| The government had hoped the threat of an election - and of deselection and expulsion from the party - would be enough to bring them into line. |