Summary

  • MPs back May's plans to offer a vote on an extension if her deal fails to get support

  • The amendment was put forward by Yvette Cooper to make the PM keep her word

  • 20 Tory MPs voted against the plan

  • Labour's amendment was defeated by a majority of 83 and they will now back a further referendum

  • Earlier: Theresa May faced off against Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs

  1. Yvette Cooper seeks government assurancespublished at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Home Affairs Committee Chair Yvette Cooper is continuing to seek further assurances from the government.

    The Labour MP wants ministers to confirm they will not pursue a no-deal Brexit in the event that the UK and EU cannot agree how long an Article 50 extension should be.

    She also wants the government to say it will favour extending Article 50 over a no-deal.

    "We hope that with these assurances we do not need to press amendment C," she says, referring to the amendment tabled by Jack Dromey and Caroline Spelman - which is now likely to be withdrawn.

    Ms Cooper's own amendment, which could still be voted on, says that if MPs vote to delay Brexit, the government should seek an extension from the EU and bring forward legislation to change, in law, the date of the UK's departure.

  2. Chris Williamson suspended by Labourpublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    BBC political editor tweets...

    Here's some breaking news away from the Brexit debate.

    Labour MP Chris Williamson has been suspended by the Labour Party for remarks he made about the party's handling of anti-Semitism.

    The Derby North claimed Labour had "given too much ground" in the face of criticism over the issue, remarks which he now says he "deeply regrets" but which have been roundly condemned across the party.

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  3. Cash - 'So offensive' for UK to concede control of lawspublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Bill CashImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Sir Bill Cash says "we are not here to voice our own opinions and fragment into factions" but "are elected on manifesto commitments and must make laws in our constituents' interests, not ours".

    Sir Bill, who is chair of the European Scrutiny Committee, says the UK will not be able to exercise control of its own laws if it remains in the EU, which is "so offensive".

  4. Benn: Ministers 'would vote against no-deal'published at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Hilary BennImage source, HoC

    Labour's Hilary Benn, who chairs the Brexit select committee, predicts that if it came to it, the government would vote against a motion to leave the EU without a deal.

    The economic consequences of no-deal would be “catastrophic”, he says.

    He adds that leaving without a deal was not an option presented to people in the 2016 referendum.

  5. Baron: 'Labour's referendum policy absolutely scandalous'published at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    John Baron MPImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP John Baron has criticised the opposition for its stance on a further referendum.

    He tells the Commons: "Labour's policy on a second referendum is absolutely scandalous."

    Mr Baron says that it is "condescending" as a policy, as it is saying "people did not understand what they were voting for".

    He says Labour are breaking the promise of both parties to honour the result of the referendum.

    He also says the SNP continually talk down the UK to such an extent that most people in Scotland don’t even listen to them.

  6. Where do the the amendments stand?published at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    EU hatImage source, Reuters

    Still standing:

    The Labour frontbench amendment (a) which outlines the party's proposals for Brexit will still be put to a vote tonight.

    The SNP's Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins has confirmed that the SNP amendment (k), which insists the UK should not leave the EU in any circumstances without a deal "regardless of any exit date", will also still be be pushed to a vote.

    The cross-party Cooper/Letwin amendment (f) which “notes” Theresa May’s commitment to three options set out yesterday also currently stands, and it is rumoured the government will not oppose it if it is taken to a vote.

    Government to support:

    Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington earlier said the government will be supporting Conservative MP Alberto Costa's amendment (b) this evening.

    His amendment calls on the government to implement the part of the withdrawal agreement that includes citizens' rights at "the earliest opportunity" regardless of the outcome of negotiations.

    But Mr Costa had to leave his post in the government to put it forward, despite it later getting their backing.

    Pulled:

    Conservative MP Dame Caroline Spelman has confirmed that she has pulled her amendment (c) following the prime minister's assurances yesterday.

    This amendment would have given Mrs May until 18 March to pass a deal, ask MPs to vote on whether to leave without a deal or ask MPs to vote on whether to extend Article 50, and would have allowed MPs to legislate for this process.

  7. SNP MP accuses ministers of 'gross irresponsibility'published at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Stephen GethinsImage source, HoC

    The SNP's Stephen Gethins accuses ministers of "gross irresponsibility", adding that "everybody knows" that a no-deal Brexit would be damaging.

    He says the SNP will be putting its amendment - which insists the UK should not leave the EU without a deal in any circumstances - to a vote later.

    He praises Conservative MP Alberto Costa - who resigned as a ministerial aide earlier - for having tabled his amendment on citizens' rights.

    He accuses the government of "sacking" him despite agreeing with the aims of his amendment.

    "I salute what he's done today", he adds.

  8. Government will not oppose Cooper amendmentpublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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  9. Dame Caroline Spelman will not push amendment to a votepublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Dame Caroline Spelman says, due to the assurances given by the prime minister in her statement yesterday and the minister today, she will not be pushing her amendment to a vote this evening.

  10. Spelman: 'This is a time to be pragmatic'published at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Caroline SpelmanImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Dame Caroline Spelman stands to move her amendments:

    • The first calls for MPs to be given time on 28 February to put in place a legislative process to ensure the PM's commitment to give MPs a vote on delaying Brexit is legally binding.
    • The second would nominate 19 March - about a week after the PM's suggested votes - as the specific day MPs should have a debate and hold a vote on the form of the future relationship with the EU.

    Dame Caroline says "the atmosphere is changing", and that she is pleased that Theresa May demonstrated on Tuesday that "the will of the House has been accepted" with regards to concerns about the risk of a no-deal Brexit.

    She urges MPs to support the deal which would "protect the jobs and livelihoods of constituents", and reminds MPs of the "serious human and manufacturing costs" of no-deal.

    "This is a time to be pragmatic," Dame Caroline says, noting there is a clear majority among MPs against no-deal.

    "With a good deal and determination we can get there," she says, adding: "The reality is in our grasp."

  11. SNP: Labour still 'party of Brexit'published at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    MP tweets...

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  12. Starmer: Don't exaggerate prospect of disorderpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Keir StarmerImage source, HoC

    Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer outlines Labour's position on a further referendum - noting that earlier it had been suggested in the chamber that another vote might lead to social disorder.

    "I think it's important we do not exaggerate social disorder, because that can encourage social disorder", he tells MPs.

    Intervening, Labour MP David Lammy says social disorder is being suggested by the "hard right" and it is important not to "give in" to them.

    "I agree wholeheartedly", replies Sir Keir.

  13. The Independent Group pushes for further referendumpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    BBC Politics Live
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  14. Shadow Brexit secretary confirms referendum policypublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    HuffPost politics editor tweets...

    Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer says if Labour's amendment is defeated tonight and the prime minister refuses to negotiate a close economic relationship, Labour will "support or put forward an amendment in favour of a public vote".

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  15. Abbott: 'Government playing amateur football with citizens' rights'published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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  16. Starmer attacks government on workers' rightspublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Keir Starmer now criticises the government's approach to protecting the "rights and protections" of UK workers after Brexit.

    "There is a world of difference between keeping up with evolving rights and simply saying they won't drop behind the frozen level," he says.

    "Neither we nor working people are going to fall for that one."

  17. Corbyn urges Tory and DUP MPs to back Labour amendmentpublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    The Labour frontbench amendment outlines the party's proposals for Brexit.

    These include creating a permanent customs union with the EU, and a close relationship with its single market.

    However, if this deal fails to get the support of MPs, Labour has confirmed it will put forward or support an amendment in favour of a public vote "in order to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit" or no-deal outcome.

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  18. Where does the Cooper bill stand?published at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Yvette Cooper and Oliver Letwin
    Image caption,

    Yvette Cooper and Oliver Letwin had tabled an amendment to extend Article 50

    Earlier, David Lidington said that if MPs voted in favour of extending Article 50, the government would try to agree it with the EU, and bring forward legislation to change the UK's exit date.

    He said these commitments "fit the timescale" set out in the proposed bill drafted by Labour's Yvette Cooper and supported by Tory Sir Oliver Letwin.

    "They are commitments made by the prime minister", he added.

    That prompted an intervention from Sir Oliver, who said in the light of Mr Lidington's remarks, there was "not a necessity" to proceed with the amendment.

    Ms Cooper asked in those circumstances, whether the government would vote in favour of legislation to extend the Article 50 period.

    Mr Lidington told MPs that given the government would be bringing the legislation forward to comply with MPs' wishes, it "logically follows" that ministers would support it.

    Tory MP Nick Boles, who also backed Ms Cooper's amendment, then asked whether MPs would get a say over suggesting a new extension length if the EU rejects the one suggested by ministers.

    Mr Lidington said he cannot see circumstances under which the government would not bring an agreed extension back to the Commons.

    Sir Oliver intervened again, calling his remarks "extraordinary helpful".

    "His confirmation of the attitude of the government of the government to that matter I think settles the thing", he added.

    As a result, the amendment may not be put to a vote later.

  19. Tory MP calls on Labour to 'exercise flexibility'published at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Oliver LetwinImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Sir Oliver Letwin says he shall be voting for the prime minister's deal.

    Sir Oliver, who had backed an amendment for extending Article 50, says he believes the events of the last 24 hours "might change minds on these benches quite significantly and favourably".

    He says if Theresa May's deal does not pass, the prime minister's red lines will need to be re-looked at, but asks Sir Keir Starmer if the Labour frontbench will also "exercise flexibility".

    "It takes two to tango," he concludes.

    Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer says he is continuing to talk with the government "and will do so for as long as is necessary".

    However, he says he is "cautious" whether this will result in a resolution in the next 14 days.

  20. Labour: NI border is 'manifestation of peace'published at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Keir Starmer says that the Northern Ireland border, in its current form, is a "manifestation of peace".

    He says that the PM has two options - carry on in a "blinkered way" or "drop her red lines" and renegotiate a better deal with the EU.

    He says the prime minister is going to "plough on" with the same withdrawal agreement without moving any of her red lines, meaning nothing will "bear fruit".