With only 60 days remaining until "Exit Day" (29 March 2019), efforts are underway in the House of Commons to bring about changes to the government's stance on key points.
According to this House of Commons Order Paper, the House will consider a motion put forward by the Prime Minister and also amendments put forward to that motion. The Speaker chooses the amendments to be put to a vote.
The Prime Minister's motion:
That this House, in accordance with the provisions of section 13(6)(a) and 13(11)(b)(i) and 13(13)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, has considered the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018” and made on 21 January 2019, and the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(11)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018”and made on 24 January.
Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018” and made on 21 January 2019
Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(11)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018”and made on 24 January
Amendments:
The Prime Minister's motion is expressed in neutral terms and became amendable because the House decided on 4 December 2018 to disapply Standing Order 24B - i.e. "Where, in the opinion of the Speaker or the Chair, a motion, That this House, or, as the case may be, the committee has considered the matter, is expressed in neutral terms, no amendments to it may be tabled."
At the time of writing a significant number of amendments have been tabled and there are also some amendments to amendments !
One hard reality is that, however Westminster votes on 29 January, any proposed changes to the withdrawal agreement will have to be negotiated with, and agreed by, the EU.
The debate and voting on Tuesday 29 January will, at least, enable the House of Commons to express its views and if a clear position emerges there will be political pressure on the government to adhere to the view of the House.
Update 29 January:
House of Lords 28 January - the Lords voted 283 Content to 131 Not Content with the motion - see the debate.
See the Order Paper for 29 January. The amendments appear at pages 6 to 21 of this Order Paper and further amendments (o), (p) and (q) have been added.
The Guardian 29 January - Full list of amendments
The amendments selected for voting are -
- A: Labour’s
- O: The SNP’s
- G: Dominic Grieve’s
- B: Yvette Cooper’s
- J: Rachel Reeves’
- I: Caroline Spelman’s
- N: Graham Brady’s
Outcome:
The debate may be read via Hansard Online - HERE.
A failed (327 to 296). O failed (327 to 39). G failed (321 to 301). B failed (321 to 298). J failed (322 to 290).
I succeeded (318 to 310) - a narrow result in favour of rejecting a no deal Brexit.
N succeded (317 to 301) - add “and requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; supports leaving the European Union with a deal and would therefore support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change.”
The motion as amended therefore reads -
That this House, in accordance with the provisions of section 13(6)(a) and 13(11)(b)(i) and 13(13)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, has considered the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018” and made on 21 January 2019, and the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(11)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018” and made on 24 January 2019, and rejects the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship, and requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; supports leaving the European Union with a deal and would therefore support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change."
The Prime Minister, in a point of order following the voting, said that the government would seek legally binding changes to the backstop; strengthen protection for workers' rights; and engage the House further in the approach to negotiating the future partnership with the EU. The Prime Minister also reiterated the view that, although the House is against a no deal Brexit, simply opposing it will not stop it. A deal agreed by the House will be required.
Workable proposals will be required from the UK if progress is to be made. None of the voting today contains specific proposals and reference was made only to "alternative arrangements." It is far from clear what such alternative arrangements might be. On this see The Guardian 29 January - The Malthouse compromise: Everything you need to know
The debate may be read via Hansard Online - HERE.
Media etc:
Politics.co.uk - Ian Dunt 29 January - Amendment-apocalypse: Spineless MPs just voted against reality
BBC News 30 January
BBC - How did your MP vote?
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