Brexit vote: MPs vote by 308-297 to defeat Theresa May and accept Grieve amendment
Follow all the latest updates from Westminster
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Angry Brexiteers have attacked John Bercow for allowing MPs to vote on a controversial bid that forces Theresa May to produce a plan B within three days if her Brexit deal is rejected.
The cross-party Grieve amendment – passed by 308 votes to 297 – demands the government outline its next steps within three days if Ms May’s deal is defeated, rather than the 21 days plus seven sitting days currently permitted.
It follows an embarrassing defeat for the prime minister on Tuesday, after her government became the first since 1978 to lose a vote on the Finance Bill as MPs made a stand against a no-deal exit from the EU.
As it happened...
Jeremy Hunt announces immediate policy in relation to rescuing victims of forced marriage - says will no longer be asked to take out a loan for their repatriation costs. It follows the practice being condemend last week.
Labour's Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has said an extension of Article 50 may now be inevitable.
Speaking in the Commons he said: "There is a question of extension of Article 50 and that may well be inevitable now given the position that we are in, but of course we can only seek it because the other 27 have to agree."
But the Labour frontbencher questioned whether the EU would have any "appetite" to renegotiate even if Article 50 was extended.
He said: "I have to say and, with regret, I genuinely think that the way the Government has gone around the negotiations has undermined a lot of the goodwill that otherwise would have been there."
Sir Keir, on a no deal, added: "I actually genuinely think we can't do it on 29 March this year. It's simply not viable, for so many practical reasons."
Brexiteers are unimpressed by the government's latest attempt to win them over.
Steve Baker, a prominent member of the European Research Group of Eurosceptic Tories, says the government's decision to agree to MPs having a vote on whether or not to enter the backstop is "flimsy rubbish".
Theresa May has offered Brexiteer rebels a new compromise likely to anger the EU
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments