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MPS IN THE House of Commons voted on four Brexit options this evening, in a bid to find a path forward.
It came after Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal deal was rejected for a third time last Friday.
Finding a consensus on a way forward has proved impossible to date – last Wednesday MPs rejected eight options put to them in a series of indicative votes.
Tonight was no different as four options were put to UK politicians to try once again to break the Brexit impasse.
Here you have all the developments and reactions to tonight’s votes.
MPs are due to vote on the options presented to them between 8pm and 8.30pm.
It took over two hours for the votes to be counted last week – but the process should be quicker this evening, as there are only four options and not eight.
1 Apr 2019
5:20PM
For a full run-down on where the UK (and Europe) is at on Brexit in the wake of the weekend, TheJournal.ie‘s Órla Ryan has more here.
To give you a taster of the political climate in Westminster today, Theresa May’s chief whip Julian Smith has said the current situation is the “worst example” of cabinet ill-discipline in British political history.
In the last indicative vote, Clarke’s customs union amendment lost by just 6 votes, the narrowest margin of the night.
This makes this amendment the most likely to succeed: it calls for “any Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration negotiated with the EU must include, as a minimum, a commitment to negotiate a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU”. Note that’s a customs union, not the customs union.
It suggests joining the Efta and the EEA, two trade groups that have a close relationship with the EU. But they would need to accept the UK’s request to enter.
Order of Business
Order of Business
1 Apr 2019
5:47PM
Motion (E) – a Confirmatory public vote
Very simply, and with a lot of support, this suggestion calls for whatever Brexit arrangement that is chosen to be approved in a referendum.
That this House will not allow in this Parliament the implementation and ratification of any withdrawal agreement and any framework for the future relationship unless and until they have been approved by the people of the United Kingdom in a confirmatory public vote.
Sorry – bit delayed outlining the amendments because this happened…
During the Brexit debate the public gallery of the Commons has been invaded by "climate justice" protesters, naked except for thongs. MPs trying very hard not to look, or not to be seen looking
Fun part about all of this is, it’s all gone back to normal very quickly. Proceedings in the House of Commons chamber are extraordinary enough, it seems.
Brings a new meaning to “public gallery”, anyways.
The indicative votes don’t get under way until 8pm, but MPs have been debating for some time now – when not being distracted by naked protesters.
Conservative Nick Boles has put forward the motion on Common Market 2.0 – which is essentially a soft Brexit.
Labour are said to be supporting it, but it’s unlikely to get enough Conservative votes to pass.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Here’s what Boles has been saying in the Commons: “Our constituents don’t send us here for an easy ride.
“Constructing a compromise isn’t easy. Nor is realising that you might not get everything you want.”
1 Apr 2019
6:18PM
Joanna Cherry – a Scottish National Party MP putting forward the ‘revoke Article 50′ motion – has also been having her say.
She says that members from every other party – with the exception of the DUP – are supporting her motion.
It’s not in the interest of Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland for their economies to “go down because of no deal,” she says.
“It will be the jobs of ordinary, working class people who will go in a no-deal,” Cherry adds.
1 Apr 2019
6:23PM
The people who stripped off in the House of Commons are called Extinction Rebellion.
In a series of post on Twitter, they say they stripped off to call attention to the “elephant in the room – climate and ecological crisis”.
In a press release, it says the action will take place just two weeks before the “International Rebellion beginning on Monday 15 April which is set to shut down central London for days on end”.
They’re also going on a radio show I didn’t know Eamonn Holmes had in the next few minutes. I’ll put the kettle on.
Back to Nick Boles, he tried his very best to ignore the naked protesters.
“It has long been a thoroughly British trait to be able to ignore pointless nakedness,” he told the House of Commons.
"It has long been a thoroughly British trait to be able to ignore pointless nakedness" - Conservative MP Nick Boles references naked protesters in the Commons during #Brexit debate
In the House of Commons, Speaker John Bercow has said 40 MPs have requested time to speak in the debate.
With the debate ending at 8pm, they won’t all get time he says.
Comments are coming thick and fast from various MPs now.
Conservative Huw Merriman said he’s given up on parliament giving a majority for what he wants. He says he’ll support a people’s vote because parliament is “unable to find a majority”.
Huw Merriman (Con) backs second referendum in order to avoid Meaningful Vote 3,029 😱😱😱
Labour’s Margaret Beckett has a similar take. She says people should get another to chance to vote on “what’s before them, rather than the fantasies they were spun”.
Conservative Caroline Spelman speaking now, and she’s talking about how businesses are left in limbo over when Brexit will happen, and what kind it will be.
“We cannot keep marching to the top of the cliff,” Spelman says.
She then draws laughter from the house when she says brisket instead of Brexit. “I had a go at cooking that yesterday, Mr Speaker,” she jokes.
She says she’ll support a customs union, but not a no-deal brisket.
He says the government has to deliver the referendum result, and defends the Prime Minister for her reputation of “not compromising”.
Former Tory – but now Independent Group member – Anna Soubry isn’t impressed. She says May didn’t reach out to those who accepted the referendum and wanted to find the best way forward.
Important to remember – no matter the result of the indicative votes tonight, Theresa May is not obliged to act on them.
She’s free to ignore calls for a second vote – even if parliament votes by a majority for it.
However, given that up to now parliament has been unable to decide on anything, if they finally backed something, she’d be under incredible pressure to act on that.
But, again, that comes with difficulties.
Crispin Blunt told Sky News that if May u-turned and backed a customs union, for example, he’d consider voting against his own government in a confidence motion.
Crispin Blunt, when asked by @markaustintv if he’d join @SteveBakerHW in voting against the govt in conf motion if PM embraced customs union: “that’d be a very difficult decision.” pic.twitter.com/nHlgu7tQWB
Back to Barclay in the Commons, and he’s said he is not one of the 170 Conservative MPs who are reported to have sent a letter urging May to not take a no-deal off the table.
The Brexit Secretary said he hasn’t signed the letter, and tells the Prime Minister what he thinks of things when he sees her.
Strong speech just there from Conservative MP for Wantage Ed Vaizey.
“We cannot be taken in by these absurd arguments,” he says of those MPs who call for a no-deal.
“The fact is that too many of our colleagues have decided that they are the self-appointed interpreters of Brexit and that anything that gets in their way must be stopped.”
1 Apr 2019
7:23PM
Plaid Cymru – the Welsh party with 4 MPs – is backing a people’s vote.
Hywel Williams says staying in the EU is the best for Wales, and also calls for a “meaningful extension” to Article 50.
Here’s a reminder on what’s being voted on this evening.
Seems to be some support for C and D – certainly more than last week when they were defeated.
Again, they’re not binding on May to follow the will of parliament if there’s a majority for any of these – but it will make things a lot trickier for her.
Here’s what Ellwood told Channel 4 on his decision to back a customs union:
“When you put your deal through three times and colleagues and others have not supported it, but you still want to honour the referendum result itself and you still want to get out of Europe, then something small has to give.
“In this case it probably is going to end up being the customs union.”
The voting is under way, but how would you cast your ballot if you were unlucky enough to have a seat in the House of Commons?
TheJournal.ie’s Daragh Brophy has just posted this handy ‘player rating’ style piece – it explains the four motions and allows you to rate them all on a scale of one to ten.
Compare your own take on what’s on offer to our readers’ rating…
Minutes of fun, guaranteed.
1 Apr 2019
8:20PM
So what are MPs voting on?
(C) Customs Union
Backed by Ken Clarke.
The veteran Tory MP’s motion would instruct the government to ensure “that any Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration negotiated with the EU must include, as a minimum, a commitment to negotiate a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU”.
(D) Common Market 2.0
Backed by Nick Boles.
The pro-EU Tory wants the UK to join the European Free Trade Association (Efta) and enter the European Economic Area (EEA) and for a deal to allow continued participation in the single market and a “comprehensive customs arrangement” with the EU. There’s quite a bit to this one, in fact – more details here.
(E) Confirmatory Public Vote
Backed by Peter Kyle.
The Labour MP’s bill would put any Brexit deal passed by parliament to the people before ratification.
(G) Revoke Article 50 if faced with no-deal Brexit
Backed by Joanna Cherry.
This motion from the SNP MP says that if there is no deal by 10 April an extension should be sought. If no extension is granted by the EU, it mandates the government to put a vote on no-deal to the House of Commons. If no-deal is rejected, the government would be compelled to revoke Article 50 (which it can do unilaterally).
Liberal Democrat Layla Moran has tweeted her ballot paper.
“I can’t in good conscience vote for any kind of Brexit but neither do I want a No Deal so that’s the compromise position I’ve taken,” she says.
Many grim faces tonight. I’ve decided to vote FOR PV and Revoke and not obstruct the softer options (abstain). I can’t in good conscience vote for any kind of Brexit but neither do I want a No Deal so that’s the compromise position I’ve taken. pic.twitter.com/VwKaHN5zua
ITV’s Robert Peston is predicting that parliament will back a customs union tonight.
But lot of Tories have written to May urging her to deliver a “managed” no-deal Brexit.
“So if PM backs the will of parliament on Brexit, she starts a civil war and probable breakup of her party,” he says.
Can we see a Conservative Prime Minister doing that?
Brexit. So if PM backs the will of parliament on Brexit, she starts a civil war and probable break up of her party. And if she defies the will of parliament, her government probably falls. In a nutshell that is why a confirmatory referendum is still a very live option
A tiny procedural thing, but we could have been delayed a bit further as there actually was some other business due to be discussed in the House of Commons before the result.
The government has decided not to move any of these discussions for debate, but still expecting the result after 10pm.
Voting has now concluded, and as the Government have not moved the Statutory Instruments scheduled for debate, the House will remain suspended until the #IndicativeVotes2 have been counted. https://t.co/jkg00gkNSs
— UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) April 1, 2019
News coming from Downing Street tonight paints a bleak picture for the Prime Minister.
Sources have told the Guardian of a “desperate mood” at Number 10 as May and her advisers consider a snap general election as the way out of this mess.
BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has us covered for the latest Tory banter.
Gag at the Tory backbench spring reception tonight - 'the PM couldn't be here, but there are nineteen people here tonight, who I understand might be prepared to stand in for her'
#Brexit is not a bad April Fool's Joke, but a tragic reality for all our citizens and business. It is now five to midnight. Today MPs must find a compromise & stop this chaos. This evening, for once voting "Yes", instead of every time voting "No".
Some Conservatives saying they voted against all the options this evening because it goes against the party’s manifesto.
Andrew Bridgen saying just that to Sky News just now.
James Heappey tweeting the same.
Voted no to all 4 options. Can’t see how any of them are better outcome than PM’s deal. And I must honour manifesto on which I was elected - to deliver Brexit. CU & Common Market 2.0 is not Brexit no matter how you dress it up.
Tonight’s motions aren’t impressing those in favour of a no-deal anyway.
MPs were denied the right to vote for a full WTO Brexit on the ballot paper tonight. It was a choice between soft Brexit, no Brexit or holding another referendum to get a different answer. So much for democratic innovation of “indicative votes” pic.twitter.com/C6gUdUlsms
— David TC Davies 🏴🇬🇧 (@DavidTCDavies) April 1, 2019
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen on Sky News repeating the “vassal state” line about the UK’s future relationship with the EU, and says it can’t happen.
He says he won’t back a fourth vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement – which she is reportedly going to try again this week.
1 Apr 2019
9:15PM
Bridgen threw a cat among the pigeons at the end of his interview with Sky there.
He said that – yes, Theresa May could bring back the withdrawal agreement a FOURTH time – but make the meaningful vote also a confidence one.
So if May lost, then she’d lose her grip on government and there’d most likely have to be a general election.
So many Conservatives have refused to back her, and it could be May’s last gambit to threaten an election and a Corbyn government if they don’t support her.
Labour is whipping its MPs to back the common market 2.0 tonight, after it lost last week.
Perceived as a softer Brexit, here’s a summary from the Guardian on the main changes in the customs union being voted on tonight, and the one from last week.
1 Apr 2019
9:56PM
The division bells have rung in the House of Commons.
Very slim majorities there, especially for a Customs Union.
The majority was just 3.
1 Apr 2019
10:11PM
Stephen Barclay, Brexit secretary, says there’s still no majority for anything from MPs and reiterates that MPs can avoid a no-deal and avoid European elections by voting for May’s withdrawal agreement.
Jeremy Corbyn says if it’s good enough for the Prime Minister to have three votes on her deal, then parliament should get a third go at these votes again.
Ian Blackford, from the SNP, is fuming. He says the votes from Scotland are being disrespected. He hints at a second push for a Scottish independence referendum. “The day is coming,” he says.
He’s quit the Conservative party altogether, it seems.
Sums it all up, really. Compromise again proves elusive in Westminster.
Nick Boles says "I've given everything in an attempt to find a compromise. I accept I have failed. I have failed chiefly because my party refuses to compromise. I regret therefore to announce I can no longer sit for this party."
Ken Clarke, whose own motion on a customs union was very, very narrowly defeated, tells the Commons: “We cannot go on with everyone voting against every proposal.”
Ken Clarke, quite forcefully, calls on People's Vote supporters to compromise and get behind soft Brexit options. Customs union would have won if TIG and others had backed.
Theresa May will meet her Cabinet tomorrow as she plots her next move.
There’s no telling what will come from that, but the Prime Minister will surely try to find some way to bring forward her withdrawal agreement for a fourth time.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will meet French President Emmanuel Macron tomorrow where they’ll discuss what’s happening. And Varadkar will also meet Angela Merkel this week as the UK remains at its current Brexit impasse.
Join us for all thing’s Brexit in the coming days to see if, and when, this whole thing ever ends.
Brexit: Nick Boles, the pro-EU Tory MP who had backed the Common Market 2.0 option tonight, resigned the party whip in the immediate aftermath of the results being announced... https://t.co/W055NfiyHb
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