Brexit LIVE: EU withdrawal bill vote closes in on May as she faces House of Commons defeat
THE GOVERNMENT could face its first defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill later tonight as MPs prepare to vote on an amendment designed to ensure parliament would get a meaningful vote on the agreement.
An amendment, tabled by former attorney general Dominic Grieve, has been backed by a number of rebel Tory MPs as well as the opposition parties.
While the Brexit bill, in clause 9, gives ministers powers to implement the Brexit withdrawal agreement by order, the amendment says these power could only be exercised if they were “subject to the prior enactment of a statute by parliament approving the final terms of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.”
Therefore if the amendment is passed, parliament would have to approve the government’s final Brexit deal by passing a separate written law once the terms of the withdrawal agreement are known.
This could, in theory, allow MPs to send May back to the negotiating table if they do not like the deal.
Mr Grieve, the Tory MP for Beaconsfield, told Sky News this morning that the amendment was not designed to “sabotage” but instead ensure parliament was allowed to do its duty by holding the Government to account.
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He said: "My impression of the last few days, when I've been talking to the government, is it seems to be a bit of a dialogue of the deaf. They've sort of turned this into a battle of wills.
"This is a completely pointless exercise. They need to listen to the point that's being made and they need to respond to it."
Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, tweeted to confirm the party will back Mr Grieve’s amendment because “the terms of our future are not for the government alone to determine.”
Fears about a potential defeat this evening prompted Brexit Secretary David Davis to write to MTory MPs at 5.30am this morning to try to win any rebels over.
He wrote: “There will be a number of votes for Parliament on the final deal we strike with the EU.
“Our entire approach has been to listen to MPs where they say they can improve the Bill.
He also tabled a statement saying that both Houses of Parliament will have a vote on the final deal “as soon as possible after the negotiations have concluded” which will cover both our exit from the EU and the terms for our future relationship.
Mr Davis added that “the Government will not implement any parts of the Withdrawal Agreement… until after this vote has taken place”.
MPs are set to debate the issue after PMQs today, with votes set to be cast at 7pm and then at 9pm this evening.
