Latest: 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”
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.
No Government could give a blank cheque to commit to an outcome without knowing what it is
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.”
Update (10:35pm): MPs have narrowly rejected a backbench amendment to allow the Commons to have a vote if the UK is seven days away from leaving the EU without a deal by 314 votes to 311, majority three.
Update (10:15pm): MPs have approved a cross-party Brexit amendment which allows Parliament to seize control of the Commons agenda to hold a series of indicative votes by 329 votes to 302, majority 27.
A total of 30 Conservative MPs were listed as having voted in favour of Oliver Letwin’s amendment, according to the division list.
An analysis of the division list showed Tory former minister Ed Vaizey voted both for and against the amendment, which is regarded as a formal abstention.
Pro-EU business minister Richard Harrington resigned ahead of the key vote.
Mr Harrington said he resigned because he believed the Government’s approach to Brexit was “playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of people in this country”.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt and Health Minister Steve Brine have also resigned, UK government sources said.
Earlier (6:04pm): Three Brexit amendments selected for consideration in Commons
The amendments selected are:
- Amendment D, Labour’s proposal which calls on the Government to provide parliamentary time to debate a range of Brexit options, including Labour’s own plan, the Common Market 2.0 proposals, a customs union and a second referendum
- Amendment A, the cross-party amendment put forward by Oliver Letwin, Dominic Grieve and Hilary Benn and signed by 109 MPs from all parties, to allow Parliament to seize control of the agenda in the House of Commons on Wednesday to hold a series of indicative votes to establish whether there is a majority for any Brexit outcome
- Amendment F, tabled by Labour former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett, to require Parliament to be given an opportunity in the week before a mooted no-deal Brexit to vote on whether the Government should go ahead and take the UK out of the EU or seek a further extension to negotiations
Earlier: May seeks to build bridges with MPs doing ‘difficult jobs’ over Brexit
Theresa May has struck a conciliatory tone with MPs as she sought to repair the damage done by her Downing Street statement on Brexit.
The British Prime Minister used a Commons appearance to acknowledge they were doing “difficult jobs” as they wrestled with Brexit.
It was a markedly different approach to last week’s Downing Street statement, in which she blamed MPs for failing to implement the result of the 2016 EU referendum and told frustrated voters: “I am on your side.”
Pro-EU Tory Sam Gyimah, who quit as a minister over her deal, described her remarks at Number 10 as “toxic” and a “low blow”.
The Prime Minister needs to win over MPs if she is to have any chance of overturning the 149-vote defeat suffered by her Brexit deal.
I expressed my frustration with our collective failure to take a decision, but I know that many members across this House are frustrated too. We all have difficult jobs to do
Speaking in the Commons, she stopped short of apologising for her remarks, but admitted they were made in “frustration”.
She said: “This is the first chance I have had to address the House since my remarks last Wednesday evening.
“I expressed my frustration with our collective failure to take a decision, but I know that many members across this House are frustrated too.
“We all have difficult jobs to do.
“People on all sides of the debate hold passionate views and I respect those differences.
“I would also like to thank all of those colleagues that have supported the deal so far, and those that have taken the time to meet with me to discuss their concerns.”
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