MPs to debate further amendments and vote on final brexit bill

MPs are to debate further amendments and vote on the final Brexit bill that will trigger Article 50 for the two-year process to leave the European Union on Wednesday, following two days of debate that has left the bill unchanged.

On Tuesday, the government fended off a potential Conservative rebellion by promising that MPs would get a “take it or leave it” vote on the final deal reached with Brussels, as amendments tabled by Labour and the SNP were rejected by MPs.

This was criticised by Labour who said that that this would mean that if MPs did vote against the deal, Britain would leave the EU anyway without an agreement.

The amendments have also caused friction within the Labour party as shadow business secretary, and favourite to succeed incumbent leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn, Clive Lewis has threatened to vote against the bill if Labour’s amendments are not accepted by the government.

Wednesday’s set of amendments, before the third and final reading in the Commons, include amendments to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in Britain after Brexit.

The bill will then be passed to the house of Lords for a first reading, second reading, the committee stage, then report stage and third reading. If no changes are made it will go straight to royal assent, but if changes are made peers then it will be passed back to the Commons.