PM offers concession to see off Brexit rebels as ‘meaningful vote’ decision is left with Speaker
Rebellion seen off as ex-Minister backs down
THERESA MAY has seen off a Commons rebellion on her flagship Brexit bill after a last-minute concession to pro-EU MPs.
MPs voted by 319 to 303 to reject a House of Lords amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill that would have ensured the Commons would have the chance to block a “no deal” Brexit.
The legislation must now go back to the Upper House in the latest stage of “parliamentary ping-pong”, but the MPs vote essentially means Mrs May has won the battle over a bill which is vital to ensure a smooth withdrawal from the EU.
In dramatic scenes at Westminster, MPs were told shortly before the key vote an official ministerial statement will be issued today making clear it is ultimately for Speaker John Bercow to decide whether they get a “meaningful vote” on a no-deal withdrawal from the EU.
The concession was accepted by leading pro-EU Tory Dominic Grieve, who was greeted with jeers of “shame” from the opposition benches when he declared he would back the Government.
But the measure was quickly described as “meaningless” by Labour whips.
Mr Grieve had tabled an amendment to the bill, requiring MPs to be given the opportunity to approve or reject the Government’s plans for the next steps in the case that no agreement can be reached with Brussels by Brexit Day in March next year.
With the Government instead offering only an unamendable “neutral motion” allowing MPs to take note of the situation, Mrs May was thought to be facing a knife-edge vote.
In the event, several opposition MPs came to Parliament from their sickbeds to oppose the Government, as protesters waved EU flags outside.
A TORY former minister has appealed for Brexit “hysteria” to calm after backing down over a vote which risked defeating the Government.
Dominic Grieve said there is enough madness around to make him question if the “collective sanity in this country has disappeared”, adding sensible and reasoned arguments presented to the Commons resulted in vilification, abuse and death threats for MPs. He criticised the “atmosphere of bullying” which prevents people from wanting to compromise.
His remarks came shortly after he pulled support for his own European Union (Withdrawal) Bill amendment, tabled by Viscount Hailsham in the Lords, which aimed to give Parliament a “meaningful vote in the Brexit process”.
Downing Street’s determination to force their motion through was indicated when Tory whips made clear they would not abide by a parliamentary convention allowing votes to be “nodded through” from ambulances and cars in the courtyard outside if MPs are too ill to physically pass through the voting lobbies.
In the event, several opposition MPs came to Parliament from their sickbeds to oppose the Government, as protesters waved EU flags outside.
Bradford West’s Labour MP Naz Shah, who has been ill, was pushed in to vote in a wheelchair with a sick bucket on her lap, while pregnant Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson voted despite being past her due date.
In the end, only six Tory MPs rebelled to support the “meaningful vote” amendment tabled Mr Grieve’s name.
Shortly before MPs voted with a margin of 16 to reject a House of Lords amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, they were told an official ministerial statement will be issued today making clear it is ultimately for Speaker John Bercow to decide whether they get a “meaningful vote” on a nodeal withdrawal from the EU.
The statement to be issued by Brexit Secretary David Davis states explicitly that the parliamentary rule-book gives the Speaker the power to determine whether a motion is amendable or not.
The Government had outlined it would offer a symbolic vote on a “neutral motion” which was unamendable if there was no agreement with Brussels before later making clear it would be for Speaker John Bercow to decide if amendments could be tabled.
Former attorney general Mr Grieve said: “Having finally obtained, I have to say with a little bit more difficulty than I would have wished, the obvious acknowledgement of the sovereignty of this place over the executive in black and white language I am prepared to accept the Government’s difficulty and support it.
“I am prepared to accept the Government’s difficulty and in the circumstances to accept the form of amendment it wants.”
He told MPs that if unsatisfied with the deal, Parliament could issue a vote of no confidence or use other methods “to bring its very clear view to bear on the Government”.
Mr Grieve then went on to outline difficulties faced by MPs, noting: “It’s rightly said that those the gods want to destroy, they first render mad.
“I have to say there’s enough madness around at the moment to make one start to question whether collective sanity in this country has disappeared. Every time sensible, reasoned argument tries to be presented in this House, vilification and abuse follows, death threats for right honourable and honourable friends, there is a hysteria which completely loses sight of the issues we have to really consider.
Labour chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn said the Government’s intention had been to seek to “neuter” the Commons when it comes to the end of the Brexit process.
He also said if he was Mr Grieve he would be “very, very cautious about accepting further assurances” after events last week, but said he respected the decision he had made. Mr Benn went on to say: “Our responsibility is not to take note, it is to take charge, to take responsibility, to do our job.”