Rebels defeat UK PM in Brexit vote on key EU withdrawal law
British Prime Minister Theresa May has lost a crucial Brexit vote in the UK Parliament after the rebels in her party backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a say on the final divorce deal struck with the European Union. The British Prime Minister was defeated on an amendment to the European Union Withdrawal Bill by four votes, in her first major House of Commons bruising on Wednesday. MPs from across different parties voted in favour of Parliament being given a meaningful vote on the terms of Brexit by 309 votes to 305. Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.
The EU Withdrawal Bill is intended to formally end Britain's membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books. It also
gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches. The government remained defiant following the defeat.
"We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out. We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential," a UK government spokesperson said. "This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose," the spokesperson added.