British MPs vote for more control on Brexit

British MPs have voted to give themselves a bigger say in what happens if, as expected, Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal is rejected by the House of Commons next week.

During a procedural discussion at the start of the debate on the Brexit deal on Tuesday evening, a number of MPs from May’s Conservative Party tabled an amendment seeking to influence what happens if that deal is rejected in a vote on Tuesday next week. The amendment, backed by former attorney-general Dominic Grieve among others but opposed by the government, was passed in the House of Commons by 321 votes to 299.

If the Brexit deal is rejected, the government must return to the Commons within 21 days to say what happens next.

The amendment removes the requirement that any motion arising from it be considered in neutral terms. Essentially, it allows MPs to amend it.

Former minister Oliver Letwin, who backed the Grieve amendment, said the priority was to avoid the potentially calamitous situation of Britain leaving the EU with no deal.

MPs could in theory table an amendment asking the government to reopen negotiations with the EU or demand a second referendum, or seek to delay or even stop Brexit.

Letwin said he backed May’s deal but if that failed, suggested a Norway-style agreement, where Britain joins the European Economic Area.

Brexit supporters say any direction the Commons gives the government would not be legally binding.

The amendment’s success reinforces May’s warnings to eurosceptics that if they reject her deal they risk having no Brexit altogether.