Last night MPs again failed to secure a majority for an alternative Brexit plan in a series of indicative votes, with only ten days until the scheduled Brexit day.
On Wednesday night, MPs had voted on a series of eight ‘momentous’ indicative motions, ranging from No Deal to Revoking Article 50 but no majority could be found for any of them.
The eight motions were whittled down to four options in Westminster last night – but again, no majority could be found for any of the non-binding Brexit motions.
However, several options came much closer to passing, including a proposal for a comprehensive customs union.
In other developments:
- Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief neogiatior, has said that a No Deal exit was now more likely, but could still be avoided
- Theresa May is holding five hours of Cabinet talks today in a bid to unblock the Brexit logjam.
- Twelve naked demonstrators, from the environmental Extinction Rebellion group, protested in the House of Commons gallery yesterday evening.
How Southwark’s MPs voted:
Here’s how all three of Southwark’s MPs – Neil Coyle, Harriet Harman and Helen Hayes – voted on last night’s motions (April 1), according to the official CommonsVotes app.
May not seen it outside this place but this is progress of a kind. And far closer margins than for PM's offering. https://t.co/inqlxXmb5p
— Neil Coyle (@coyleneil) April 1, 2019
C – Customs Union
This motion came the closest to passing. Moved by Tory grandee Ken Clarke, it called for a permanent and comprehensive customs union with the EU. This would avoid a hard border in Ireland.
Neil Coyle – For
Harriet Harman – For
Helen Hayes – For
For: 273; Against 276. Motion failed.
D – Common Market 2.0
Also called ‘Norway +’, this option called for UK membership of the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area. Would meant continued participation in the single market and a temporary ‘customs arrangement’ with the EU until a wider trade deal was agreed.
The MP who moved it, Nick Boles, resigned the Tory Party whip in frustration that the motion did not pass and will now sit in the Commons as an independent.
https://twitter.com/NickBoles/status/1112828931818881025?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Neil Coyle – For
Harriet Harman – For
Helen Hayes – Vote not listed
For: 261; Against 282. Motion failed.
E – Confirmatory public vote
This motion would’ve stated that any future Brexit withdrawal deal and deal and future trade deal with the EU could not be enacted until approved by the public in a referendum.
Neil Coyle – For
Harriet Harman – For
Helen Hayes – For
For: 280; Against 292. Motion failed.
G – Parliamentary supremacy
Joanna Cherry, of the SNP, put forward a motion which set out a series of steps that should happen next if MPs had not passed a withdrawal deal two days before Brexit day on April 12 and so was on course for no deal.
If a delay was not agreed by noon the day prior to leaving – on April 11 – MPs would’ve had a vote on whether to leave without a deal, which they likely would reject.
If they did, the motion stated the Government should revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit, with an inquiry being held to establish what future relationship would command support.
Neil Coyle – For
Harriet Harman – For
Helen Hayes – For
For: 191; Against 292. Motion failed.