British House of Commons finally backs Brexit

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MPs have voted to back the government's plan to start formal talks on Brexit by the end of March next year.

They also supported a Labour motion calling for Parliament to "properly scrutinise" the government in its proposals for leaving the EU.

The votes followed a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives, who had argued over the questions to be put.

MPs back government's Brexit timetable


7 December 2016
BBC News


Labour's motion and the government's amendment both passed easily

MPs have voted to back the government's plan to start formal talks on Brexit by the end of March next year.

They also supported a Labour motion calling for Parliament to "properly scrutinise" the government in its proposals for leaving the EU.

The votes followed a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives, who had argued over the questions to be put.

The House of Commons' decisions are not binding on ministers.

MPs backed Labour's motion, saying the government should publish a plan and it was "Parliament's responsibility to properly scrutinise the government" over Brexit, by 448 votes to 75 - a margin of 373.

This followed another vote over the government's amendment to the motion, which added the proviso that its timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, getting formal talks with the EU under way, should be respected.

MPs backed this by 461 votes to 89 - a margin of 372.

After Labour proposed its motion, Prime Minister Theresa May had reportedly faced a rebellion by up to 40 Conservative MPs.

So, on Tuesday she offered to support it, in return for the Labour leadership backing a compromise government amendment to support the Brexit timetable.


Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said ministers had refused to give details "on every occasion"

During Wednesday's debate, Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the government had refused "on every occasion" to give details of its plans, saying information about its negotiating stance was important because it "sets the scene" for Brexit.

He said there must not be "a situation where the government seeks a vote in a vacuum, or produces a late, vague plan".

But Brexit Secretary David Davis responded: "The simple fact is that the mandate (in June's referendum) was to leave the European Union - full stop. We need to keep that in mind when we are going through that process."

He added: "This is a negotiation; it's not a policy statement. And, therefore, where you are aiming for may not be the exact place you end up."

The government's amendment was opposed by 23 Labour MPs and one Conservative - europhile former chancellor Ken Clarke.

Five Liberal Democrat MPs, three Plaid Cymru MPs and 51 SNP MPs also voted against it.

And Labour's motion was opposed by nine of its own MPs:


  • Rushanara Ali
  • Ben Bradshaw
  • Jim Dowd
  • Paul Farrelly
  • Mike Gapes
  • David Lammy
  • Tulip Siddiq
  • Catherine West
  • Daniel Zeichner


Ms Siddiq, Ms West and Mr Zeichner all serve in party leader Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench team.

The government's Brexit timetable means the UK will leave the EU in 2019, with negotiations lasting up to two years.

In June's referendum, UK voters backed leaving the EU by 51.9% to 48.1%.

Analysis - Alex Forsyth, BBC political correspondent

Within minutes of the vote, one dedicated Brexiteer had labelled it an historic moment. Iain Duncan Smith said for the first time the majority of parliamentarians had voted to leave the EU.

Technically MPs have only backed the government's plan to start the process of leaving by the end of March next year. Nonetheless it is a statement of Parliament's intent.

Some have accused pro-Remain MPs of wanting to backtrack on Brexit, but tonight's result shows most parliamentarians are willing to respect the result of the referendum.

Instead the arguments are over exactly what Brexit will mean and the extent to which Parliament will have a say in shaping that.

In that respect, both the government and the opposition will claim victory over tonight's result: Labour for getting the government to agree to publish a Brexit plan of sorts which will be subject to scrutiny, ministers for getting MPs' backing for their timetable.

This was not a binding vote, but for both sides it counts. With further parliamentary skirmishes inevitable, positioning and political power play are vital - especially when the stakes are so high.

MPs back government's Brexit timetable - BBC News
 

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Revealed: Ukip vows to target the six MPs who defied their constituents and voted against triggering Article 50

Laura Hughes, Political Correspondent Patrick Scott , Data Journalist Peter Dominiczak, Political Editor
8 December 2016
The Telegraph

Ukip has vowed to target the seats of MPs who voted against triggering Article 50 last night, despite serving constituencies who voted to leave the European Union in June.

A total of six MPs rebelled against Theresa May's plan to trigger Brexit yesterday, in a vote which supporters said gave the Prime Minister a "blank cheque" to take Britain out of Europe.

Ukip sources have said they will pour all their efforts into winning over the MPs' six English and Welsh constituencies in the next general election.


A full house in the chamber

Gerard Batten, Ukip's Brexit spokesman, told the Telegraph: "These MPS have just written their own political epitaphs. Their action is a clear invitation to UKIP to remove them at the earliest possible opportunity".

Responding to the vote, Andrew Rosindell, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, said: "Its a shameful kick in the teeth to their constituents and to British democracy.

"At least Zac Goldsmith had the integrity to put himself before the electorate on a matter on principle.

Perhaps they should consider doing likewise."

Angela Smith, a former frontbencher and MP for the marginal seat of Pe nistone and Stocksbridge, defied the official position of her party yesterday and the 61.3 per cent of her constituency who voted for Brexit.

Another former shadow minister, Graham Allen MP, also made the decision to rebel, despite 63.8 per cent of his constituency choosing to leave the EU.

Just one SNP MP, Eilidh Whiteford, and one Plaid Cymru MP, Jonathan Edwards, voted against a majority of their constituents last night.

Other Labour MPs who voted against their own party's position include Barry Sheerman, Chris Evans and Paul Farrelly.

89 backbenchers including one Tory and 23 Labour MPs opposed Mrs May's plan in a show of defiance against the EU referendum result.


Former Chancellor Ken Clarke Credit: PA

The result of the vote was that 461 MPs sided with the Prime Minister and voted to commit the Government to triggering Article 50 by the end of March next year.

Andrew Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, said: "MPs are accountable and when we have a general election they are held to account.

"I am sure voters will bear that in mind, but it is for every MP to defend the way they vote."

Mr Sheerman, the MP for Huddersfield, told the Telegraph : "Bring it on. I was elected with a good majority to look after the long term interests of my constituents and because of that I voted the way that I did on Wednesday night.

"Of course I took note of the very close Brexit vote, but look at the percentage of people who actually voted.

There was a significant percentage of voters in my constituency who didn't vote. I will fight as long as I can to make sure we get the best deal possible."

Ms Smith said: "Those who voted yesterday against the government amendment did not vote against Brexit or indeed against triggering A50, but rather against an unrealistic timetable as far as Parliamentary scrutiny is concerned."

Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP added: "Clearly the vote in Banff and Buchan was very close, but with still no plan for Brexit, and real risks to local jobs and livelihoods, it would be a betrayal of responsibility to write a blank cheque for the so-called 'hard Brexit' the Government wants to pursue.

"We should remember that the North-east, like the rest of Scotland, voted Remain by a convincing margin."

Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, also defended his position.

He said: “I am a democrat and respect the referendum result. But I am not prepared to give the UK Government a blank cheque and free ride to do whatever it wants without any information on how residents of Carmarthenshire and Wales be will affected.”

We've taken a look at how the MPs' constituencies voted in June's referendum.

Conservatives

Ken Clarke, MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire. 57.55% votes for Remain.

Labour

Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield. 51.1% votes for Leave.
Angela Smith, MP for Pe nistone and Stocksbridge. 61.3% votes for Leave.
Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North. 63.8% votes for Leave.
Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn. 58.9% votes for Leave.
Paul Farrelly, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme. 61.7% votes for Leave.
Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood. 77.9% votes for Remain.
Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch. 79.1% votes for Remain.
Peter Kyle, for Hove. 66.1% votes for Remain.
David Lammy, MP for Tottenham. 66.6% votes for Remain.
Chris Leslie, MP for Nottingham East 57.2% votes for Remain
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South. 77.8 % votes for Remain.
Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. 76.6% votes for Remain
Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green. 81.5% votes for Remain
Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge. 73.5% votes for Remain
Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow. 69.1% votes for Remain.


Ben Bradshaw MP

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter. 55.3% votes for Remain.
Ann Coffey, MP for Stockport. 51.8% votes for Remain.
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark. 53% votes for Remain.
Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow. 63.6% votes for Remain.
Geraint Davies, MP for Swansea West. 57.3% votes for Remain.
Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool, Riverside. 73.1% votes for Remain.
Jim Dowd, MP for Lewisham West and Penge. 65.5% votes for Remain.
Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South. 56.1% votes for Remain.

Liberal Democrats

Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield, Hallam. 64.1% votes for Remain.
Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park. 72.3% votes for Remain.
Mark Williams, MP for Ceredigion, 54.6% votes for Remain.
Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland. 59.7% votes for Remain.
Tim Farron, party leader and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale. 52.5% votes for Remain.


Former Liberal Democrat leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Alasdair McDonnell, MP for Belfast South. 69.5% votes for Remain.
Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle. 78.3% votes for Remain

Plaid Cymru

Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd. 51.6% votes for Remain.
Hywel Williams, MP for Arfon. 65.1% votes for Remain.
Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. 53.8% votes for Leave.


Jonathan Edwards MP Credit: Plaid Cymru

Green

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton, Pavilion. 74.3% votes for Remain.


Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA

Independent

Michelle Thomson, MP for Edinburgh West. 71.2% votes for Remain.
Natalie McGarry, MP for Glasgow East. 56.2% votes for Remain.

The Scottish National Party

Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff and Buchan. 54% votes for Leave.
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire. 60.7% votes for Remain.
Hannah Bardel, MP for Livingston. 56.3% votes for Remain.
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South. 65.8% votes for Remain.
Ian Blackford,MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber. 65.6% votes for Remain.
Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North. 56.9% votes for Remain.


Mhairi Black Credit: Oxford Union/REX/Shutterstock

Philip Boswell, MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill. 61.3% votes for Remain.
Deidre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith. 78.2% votes for Remain.
Alan Brown, MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun. 60.4% votes for Remain.
Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow. 62% votes for Remain.
Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife. 60% votes for Remain.
Joanna Cherry, MP for Edinburgh South West. 72.1% votes for Remain.
Ronnie Cowan, MP for Inverclyde. 63.8% votes for Remain.


Former SNP leader and former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Credit: David Cheskin/PA

Angela Crawley, MP for Lanark and Hamilton East. 64.5% votes for Remain.
Martyn Day, MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk. 58.4% votes for Remain.
Martin Docherty, MP for West Dunbartonshire. 62% votes for Remain.
Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. 61.4% votes for Remain.
Marion Fellows, MP for Motherwell and Wishaw. 63% votes for Remain.
Margaret Ferrier, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. 62.7% votes for Remain.
Stephen Gethins, MP for North East Fife. 61.9% votes for Remain.


Stewart Hosie Credit: Mark Runnacles

Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran. 57.7% votes for Remain.
Patrick Grady, MP for Glasgow North. 78.4% votes for Remain.
Peter Grant, MP for Glenrothes. 53.5% votes for Remain.
Neil Gray, MP for Airdrie and Shotts. 59.9% votes for Remain.
Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey. 58.6% votes for Remain.
Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East. 61.7% votes for Remain.
George Kerevan, MP for East Lothian. 64.6% votes for Remain.


Leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons Angus Robertson Credit: PA

Calum Kerr, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. 56.8%
Chris Law, MP for Dundee West. 58.8% votes for Remain
John McNally, MP for Falkirk. 58% votes for Remain.
Angus MacNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar. 55.2% votes for Remain.
Stuart McDonald, MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East. 62.1% votes for Remain.
Callum McCaig, MP for Aberdeen South. 67.7% votes for Remain.
Anne McLaughlin, MP for Glasgow North East 59.3% votes for Remain.
Carol Monaghan, MP for Glasgow North West. 68.5% votes for Remain.


Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh Credit: Jeff J Mitchell

Paul Monaghan, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. 50.6% votes for Remain.
Roger Mullin, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. 58.3% votes for Remain.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North. 63.9% votes for Remain.
John Nicolson, MP for East Dunbartonshire. 73.3% votes for Remain.
Brendan O'Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute. 60.6% votes for Remain.
Kirsten Oswald, MP for East Renfrewshire. 74.3% votes for Remain.
Steven Paterson, MP for Stirling. 67.7% votes for Remain.
Angus Robertson, MP for Moray. 50.1% votes for Remain.
Alex Salmond, MP for Gordon. 55.4% votes for Remain.


Tommy Sheppard Credit: Stuart Nicol

Tommy Sheppard, MP for Edinburgh East. 72.4 % votes for Remain.
Christopher Stephens, MP for Glasgow South West. 59.1% votes for Remain.
Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central. 71.2% votes for Remain.
Michael Weir, MP for Angus. 51.9% votes for Remain.
Philippa Whitford, MP for Central Ayrshire. 57.3 % votes for Remain.
Corri Wilson, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock. 57% votes for Remain.
Peter Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire. 59.8% votes for Remain.

Revealed: Ukip vows to target the six MPs who defied their constituents and voted against triggering Article 50
 
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Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
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Coffee House

The House of Commons votes for Brexit

James Forsyth





James Forsyth
8 February 2017
The Spectator

The drink will be flowing in the government whips’ office tonight. For the Brexit Bill has passed through the Commons unamended and with an absolutely thumping majority at third reading of 372.

This means that a clean bill will go to the House of Lords. This will strengthen the government’s hand there as peers will be more reluctant to make changes to a clean bill and one that has passed the Commons with such a large majority.

Despite all the talk of knife-edge votes, the government’s majorities tonight were pretty comfortable—30 or above on all the amendments. In part, this was because of the government conceding just enough—the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from the Home Secretary Amber Rudd made clear that EU nationals wouldn’t have their status in the UK changed without a parliamentary vote—and a general sense on the Tory benches that the Prime Minister’s hand shouldn’t be tied ahead of the negotiations.

But in a reminder that the Labour Party is now far more divided over Europe than the Tories, Clive Lewis resigned from the Labour front bench shortly before the vote on third reading saying that he couldn’t support it. Lewis was among 52 Labour rebels on third reading.

After tonight’s vote, Theresa May will feel confident that she’ll be able to invoke Article 50 next month. Indeed, it could be invoked as early as a month today. Brexit is happening.

The House of Commons votes for Brexit | Coffee House