May avoids damaging Brexit defeat with last- minute concession
House votes 319 to 303 to reject Tory rebels’ amendment
London, June 20: British Prime Minister Theresa May's government saw off a rebellion by her pro-European MPs on Wednesday after making further concessions over parliament's role in the final Brexit deal.
MPs in the House of Commons voted to reject a motion that would have strengthened the power of lawmakers to intervene if no deal is reached with Brussels before Brexit in March 2019.
Just hours earlier, Brexit secretary David Davis issued a statement offering a clarification that the rebels said would ensure Parliament would have a “meaningful vote”.
In the end, MPs voted by 319 to 303 reject a rebel amendment to the EU ( Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit.
The government's proposal was passed through without a vote.
Winning the vote is a huge relief for the prime minister, who has struggled to maintain her authority over a deeply divided government.
A defeat would also have been a humiliating setback as she heads to a summit next week with fellow EU leaders, although she still faces tough negotiations with Brussels.
May has offered parliament a vote on the final terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, but has been engaged in months of negotiations over what happens if it is rejected.
Pro- Europeans are determined that parliament be given the opportunity to intervene to stop Britain crashing out of the bloc, which they say could have catastrophic consequences.
But Ms May had warned that any attempt to tie her hands would undermine her chances of a good deal in the Brexit talks, while eurosceptics accused the rebels of trying to block Britain's exit.
◗ MPs in the House of Commons voted to reject a motion that would have strengthened the power of lawmakers to intervene if no deal is reached with Brussels