British MPs vote to seize control of Commons agenda from government as ministers resign

MPs have approved the amended Government motion allowing Parliament to seize control of the Commons agenda to hold a series of indicative votes by 327 votes to 300, majority 27.

The MPs dramatically seized control of the Brexit agenda from Theresa May – potentially paving the way for a “softer” deal that keeps the UK closer to Brussels.

Minutes earlier, the Commons voted by 329 to 302 – a majority of 27 – for a cross-party amendment to enable MPs to stage a series of “indicative votes” on alternatives to the Prime Minister’s deal.

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator, said: “Parliament takes control. An opportunity to build a cross-party cooperation leading to an enhanced political declaration & a closer future relationship! #Brexit”

Parliament takes control. An opportunity to build a cross-party cooperation leading to an enhanced political declaration & a closer future relationship! #Brexithttps://t.co/4NhRkeGQ72

— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) March 25, 2019

The vote came as pro-EU ministers Richard Harrington and Alistair Burt announced they were quitting the Government.

Mr Harrington, a Business Minister, accused the Government of “playing roulette” with the lives and livelihoods of the people of Britain in its handling of Brexit.

The result is another humiliation for Mrs May, who earlier warned MPs not to “overturn the balance of our democratic institutions” which means the Government normally controls business of the House.

She made clear she would not feel bound by the result of any indicative votes – which could include a “softer” Norway-style deal, or a second referendum.

“No Government could give a blank cheque to commit to an outcome without knowing what it is,” she said.

“So I cannot commit the Government to delivering the outcome of any votes held by this House. But I do commit to engaging constructively with this process.”