LONDON — Experiencing déjà vu? It’s another day of non-binding votes on a U.K. government Brexit motion.
The major flashpoint, Yvette Cooper and Oliver Letwin’s amendment seeking a path for MPs to legislate for a delay to Brexit in order to avoid no deal, has been downgraded, after Theresa May announced her own similar plan Tuesday. The prime minister committed to give the House of Commons a vote on March 14 on an extension to Brexit if her deal is rejected again by March 12, and MPs reject a no-deal Brexit in a vote the next day.
Nevertheless, there are still some interesting amendments on the House of Commons order paper. Only some will be selected by Speaker John Bercow for votes some time after 7 p.m. (the choice is entirely in his hands) but the outcome will be another useful indicator of where opinion lies in the House of Commons, and the amendments put forward have already increased pressure on the government in some areas, particularly on citizens’ rights.
Here’s a guide to the amendments and what they mean:
Amendment A — Labour
This is the usual opposition frontbench amendment. It essentially instructs the government to replace its plan for the future U.K.-EU relationship with Labour’s. That means changes to the Political Declaration to secure a permanent customs union; close alignment with single market rules; alignment with EU workers’ rights and environmental protections; participation in EU agencies; and access to EU security arrangements.
As with all opposition amendments, this one is almost certainly not going to pass while a semblance of party political loyalty remains in the House of Commons, which it does (for now).
Amendment B — Citizens’ rights
When an amendment has Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, backbench Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, Labour defector Chuka Umunna, Tory rebel Dominic Grieve and Lib Dem leader Vince Cable’s name on it, there’s a very good chance it’s going to pass.
After initially hinting it wouldn’t back the amendment, the government has said it will support it.
This amendment, put forward by the Conservative MP Alberto Costa, would ensure that the Withdrawal Agreement’s provisions for guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens in the U.K. and U.K. citizens in the EU are pursued by the two sides “at the earliest opportunity” even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
“I am perfectly happy with that amendment,” Home Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons home affairs committee on Wednesday morning.
Javid said he wants to “control expectations” about its effect. “It calls on the U.K. government to ask the EU to do something which I think it is not necessarily easy for the EU to deliver,” he said.
The amendment is not clear on whether it binds the government to unilaterally protect rights in the event of no deal, but the government has already pledged to take steps to do so. This amendment is about a U.K.-EU agreement on a reciprocal arrangement.
Amendment C — Cooper-Letwin
This amendment was aimed at forcing the government into an extension of the Article 50 negotiating period to avoid no deal. But with Theresa May committing to a vote by March 12 on an extension should MPs reject her deal (again) and then reject no deal, the Cooper-Letwin amendment is now no longer the major flashpoint it could have been.
However, it has not been withdrawn altogether, to ensure, in Cooper’s words “no backtracking from anyone in the Cabinet.”
The amendment paves the way for a backbench bill requiring the government to extend Article 50 if May’s deal has not been approved by March 18 and a no-deal exit has been rejected.
The amendment has cross-party support, including from former Tory chair Caroline Spelman and Labour’s Jack Dromey, and has a reasonable chance of passing if selected.
Amendment D — Votes on Brexit options
On top of their original amendment, Cooper, Letwin, Spelman, Dromey et al have also put forward one demanding indicative votes on Brexit options on March 19. Under the terms of the amendment, parliamentary time on that day would be given to a motion from chair of the House of Commons Brexit committee Hilary Benn initiating such votes. The votes on options, which could include a Norway plus-style arrangement or a second referendum, would be non-binding, but politically very forceful.
The amendment has cross-party support from the same group of MPs as Amendment C.
Amendment E — Green Brexit
This amendment, but forward by Green MP Caroline Lucas, would place environmental questions and the climate crisis at the center of the Brexit debate. It demands the government rule out no deal and significantly firm up its commitments to protect the environment in any future relationship. It has Lib Dem and Plaid Cymru backing, as well as some significant backbench Labour supporters including former leader Ed Miliband.
It is unlikely to pass but given the lack of prominence environmental matters have held in U.K. politics as a result of the country’s Brexit obsession, it will be interesting to see if it is at least selected for a vote.
Amendment F — ‘Keep your word’
The third from the Cooper-Letwin-Spelman-Dromey group simply aims to hold Theresa May to her pledge to hold votes on no deal and an extension, should her deal be voted down. It repeats all the commitments she made and would have the force of giving formal House of Commons backing for the course of action — making it politically much more difficult for the prime minister to backtrack.
Amendment G — Revoke Article 50
Backed by the Scottish National Party and Tory grandee Ken Clarke, this amendment proposes revoking Article 50 altogether. If selected, it would be astonishing if it passed, given strong opposition from both the Labour and Tory frontbenches.
Amendment H — Second referendum practicalities
Supported by The Independent Group MPs, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Conservative rebels Dominic Grieve and Philip Lee, this amendment requires the government to put forward a motion before March 8 “which sets out the steps necessary for preparing a public vote” on whether the U.K. should leave the EU on terms agreed by parliament, or Remain. Unlikely to pass if selected because, despite this week’s second referendum announcement, Labour is still prioritizing securing its own Brexit deal, as per Amendment A.
Amendment I — Brexit bailout fund
Put forward by the Liberal Democrats and with a smattering of backbench Labour and other support, this one calls for a “Brexit Support Fund” of at least £7.5 billion to mitigate job losses caused by Brexit uncertainty, particularly in the event of no deal. Given the lack of widespread support, it’s unlikely to be selected or, if it is, to pass.
Amendment J — No deal still an option
Straightforward amendment put forward by serial amender John Baron and backed by, as of Wednesday morning, two colleagues, simply stating that extending Article 50 “cannot take no deal off the table.” Could potentially get government support and so could pass if selected.
Amendment K — No to no deal
Another amendment that would reinforce the point that the House of Commons is determined not to leave the EU without a deal in place, this is one being spearheaded by the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Lib Dems and Green MP Caroline Lucas. It has little support beyond the smaller parties, but should be fairly uncontroversial for any MP that voted for Caroline Spelman’s successful “no to no deal” amendment in January. It simply states that the House “is determined not to leave the European Union without a withdrawal agreement and future framework under any circumstances, and regardless of any exit date.”
Amendment L — Lengthy extension
Put forward by Plaid Cymru, this one demands the prime minister extend Article 50 all the way to the end of 2021.
It has no cross-party support so looks unlikely to be selected, or, if it is, passed.
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