Brexit amendments EXPLAINED: Everything MPs are set to vote on tonight
5 min read
Yet another night of crunch votes on Brexit looms and MPs have been scrambling to get their favourite options on the agenda. John Bercow has chosen three amendments for votes alongside the central government motion.
Theresa May - The Motion - Nothing has changed
The motion tabled by the PM could prove to be the story of the evening after hardline Tory Brexiteers threatened to vote against it. It was supposed to be a so-called 'neutral' motion - which would usually mean accepting that the Commons had discussed a matter without voting in favour or against anything. But instead the motion "reiterates its support for the approach to leaving the EU expressed by this House on 29 January 2019" - on which date the Brady amendment to scrap the backstop was voted through as well as the Spelman amendment to delay Article 50.
Pro-Brexit Tory MPs are up in arms about the prospect of having to vote for something that supports a delay to the Brexit process and have threatened to vote against the motion, which could spell a humiliating defeat for ministers on an issue which was meant to be uncontentious. ERG deputy chair Steve Baker has already tweeted sounding like he could back down - but has noted that a decision will not be made until later.
Update: The following three amendments have been selected for votes by Speaker John Bercow
Jeremy Corbyn - Amendment A - Force another meaningful vote by the end of February
The official opposition amendment is a bid to force the PM to offer another ‘meaningful vote’ on her deal by 27 February. But it says if the UK and EU cannot reach a deal the Government must promise a further amendable motion on how it plans to proceed. The amendment is not far off what the Government has promised anyway - and official opposition motions rarely win the day.
The Lib Dems have tacked their own amendment onto that which would extend Article 50 for the purpose of holding a fresh EU referendum (of course).
Amendment E - Anna Soubry - publish no-deal assessments
The pro-EU Tory MP has won support from dozens of MPs for her bid to force the Government to publish its most recent assessment on the implications of no-deal for business and trade. The amendment has the biggest following of all those tabled and has cross party support.
Amendment I - Ian Blackford - Extend Article 50
The SNP Westminster leader has gathered colleagues alongside Lib Dems calling for an extension of Article 50 of at least three months.
Update: The following seven amendments were tabled by MPs but not selected for votes
Amendment B - Roger Godsiff -Second Brexit referendum
Labour MP and Leave voter Roger Godsiff has made a surprise move calling for a second EU referendum. Under his plan the ballot paper would offer three choices: accepting the final agreement between Brussels and London, quitting without a deal or remaining in the EU.
The referendum would use the alternative voting system which allows voters to state a preference, and if one gets a 50% majority it wins. If none get a 50% majority the one with the least support is eliminated and second preferences for the other two are added to their totals to find which has a majority.
The amendment has only one signatory: Godsiff himself. And it is not backed by the People’s Vote campaign he has been a supporter of since November.
Amendment C - Ken Clarke - Ballot for indicative Brexit votes
The Tory former chancellor wants MPs to be given the chance to gauge support for a range of Brexit options. Those could include a Norway-style Brexit, leaving with no deal, a second referendum and others. MPs would be handed a ballot paper with the list of options they can vote for in order of preference. Each proposal would need the support of at least 50 MPs to get onto the ballot paper.
The amendment has some cross-party support from the likes of Harriet Harman and Liz Saville Roberts.
Amendment D - Angus MacNeil - Stop Brexit
The SNP firebrand wants Article 50 to be completely revoked. His bid has been backed by a number of his SNP colleagues as well as Tory MP Ken Clarke and Labour MP Janet Daby.
Amendment F - Sarah Wollaston - More indicative votes
The good doctor has tabled a bid for MPs to seize the Commons agenda for a single day on 26 February to hold a series of votes on the various Brexit options. Unlike the Ken Clarke bid for a paper ballot, MPs would have to debate and then troop through the lobbies over six options: the PM’s deal, changes to the backstop, a Canada-style trade deal, a Norway-style deal and another referendum.
If one is voted for the Government must pursue that plan. But if two or more or none are voted for a referendum would automatically be triggered.
Amendment G Jonathan Edwards - Extend Brexit and hold a referendum
Plaid MPs led by Jonathan Edwards have tabled an amendment noting that the Welsh and Scottish parliaments are not supportive of Brexit and calling for more time to process all the necessary legislation. But it also notes that time should be made for a fresh EU referendum either before Brexit or before the end of the transition period.
Amendment H - Geraint Davies - Close relationship with EU and a referendum
Labour MP Geraint Davies has put in a bid to demand an extension of Article 50 and plan for a close relationship with the EU including a customs union, all ratified in a second referendum.
Amendment J - Vince Cable - A second EU referendum
The Lib Dems have tabled this bid to have Article 50 extended if no deal is agreed by 27 February and to hold a referendum on whether to accept the PM’s deal or stay in the EU.
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