Liam Fox tells Laura Kuenssberg rebels haven't modified Brexit stance
Theresa May has welcomed the passing of the Brexit invoice by means of Parliament as "a crucial step" in delivering a "smooth and orderly Brexit".
Peers accepted the modification to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill despatched to them from the House of Commons, that means the invoice now goes for Royal Assent, turning into legislation.
The vote handed 319 to 303 after would-be Tory rebels got assurances they'd have a significant say.
The PM stated extra element on the UK-EU's future relationship shall be given quickly.
Mrs May stated: "Today's votes show people in the UK, and to the EU, that the elected representatives in this country are getting on with the job, and delivering on the will of the British people."
"Over the subsequent few weeks we'll publish extra particulars of our proposed future relationship with the EU in a White Paper, and will convey the Trade and Customs Bills again to the House of Commons.
"But today has been an important step in delivering the Brexit people voted for, a Brexit that gives Britain a brighter future, a Britain in control of its money, laws, and borders."
The UK is because of depart the European Union on 29 March 2019 and negotiations have been happening over the phrases of its departure.
Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg informed Sky News Mrs May would now attend a summit of EU leaders subsequent week "with full strength, with the ability to say the legislation to leave the EU, under EU law and UK law, is now fully in place".
'No change'
Before the Commons vote, Dominic Grieve, chief of the would-be rebelswho wished to make sure MPs had the facility to cease the UK leaving with out a dealstated the "sovereignty of Parliament" had been acknowledged.
Both sides have claimed victory with Stephen Hammond, a pro-EU MP who finally sided with the federal government, suggesting ministers had agreed to offer Parliament a "real say" on high of different concessions.
International commerce secretary Liam Fox stated nothing had actually modified and the choice of a no-deal Brexit had been left firmly on the desk.
He stated the federal government had "to be able to hold out in our negotiations the prospect of no deal" in any other case the EU would get the higher hand.
On Wednesday night, following the Commons vote, Leader of the Lords Baroness Evans of Bowes Park stated the EU (Withdrawal) Bill had been "debated at length" and was very totally different as a results of amendments tabled by the Lords.
Peers permitted the federal government's proposal with out a vote.
Analysis
The authorities was nervous sufficient about shedding at the moment to budge, even when they solely gave an inch.
It could be a concession that solely actually parliamentary legal professionals perceive, however the PM needed to transfer, once more, regardless of not eager to.
And even if she did compromise even in a meaningless manner (sure I am unable to consider that I did simply write that sentence, however it's related), the vote was nonetheless comparatively shut, actually not comfy sufficient for the federal government to calm down any time quickly.
What's additionally the case is that the Tory rebels, or potential rebels extra like, weren't keen to take dramatic motion in sufficient quantity to humiliate the PM.
The vote end result means that they've the hypothetical numbers, however their critics, and their inner opponents within the Tory party would query in the event that they actually have the center.
How the vote unfolded
MPs vote by 319 to 303 to reject modification to the Brexit invoice
The authorities has been at odds with the Lords within the long-running row over what occurs if the UK can not attain a cope with the EU, or if MPs reject no matter deal the federal government agrees with the EU.
The Commons vote had been anticipated to be tight and the federal government finally prevailed by a majority of 16.
Six Tory MPsKen Clarke, Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Antoinette Sandbach and Phillip Leerebelled whereas 4 Labour MPs backed the federal government and six different Labour MPs abstained, as did Kelvin Hopkins, who sits as an unbiased after having the whip withdrawn.
One Labour MP, Naz Shah, voted in a wheelchair after being launched from hospital amid Labour claims that ordinary preparations sparing unwell MPs from having to enter the chamber had been deserted.
The sticking factors
The debate centred on what occurs in three Brexit situations:
- If MPs vote down the UK-EU Brexit deal
- If Theresa May declares earlier than 21 January 2019 that no deal has been reached
- If 21 January passes with no deal being struck.
Under these circumstances, the federal government has stated, a minister will make a assertion in Parliament, setting out the proposed subsequent steps.
MPs will then vote on this assertion. The authorities says this vote needs to be "on neutral terms", with MPs merely noting what has been stated.
But an modification backed by the Lords on Monday went additional, saying MPs ought to need to "approve" the minister's assertion.
The Department for Exiting the European Union has now conceded that will probably be as much as Commons Speaker John Bercow to determine the matter on the time.
The concession
Speaking within the Commons, Dominic Grieve stated the problem of the significant vote was about giving "assurances to the House and many, many people in the country who are worried about this process and how it will end".
Mr Grieve stated he had insisted on a key paragraph within the authorities assertion accepting "it is open to MPs to table motions and debate matters of concern and that, as is the convention, parliamentary time will be provided for this".
Another potential insurgent Nicky Morgan stated she didn't want to see Mrs May "destabilised or undermined" forward of the EU summit however warned of additional battles to return over the UK's commerce and customs preparations with the EU.