MPs reject amendments to Brexit bill

The House of Commons voted against four amendments proposed by Labour, the SNP and Plaid Cymru late on Monday to the ‘Brexit bill’, which will give the government the right to trigger Article 50 and start a two-year clock on formal negotiations to leave the EU.

The rejection of the amendments, that included calls for greater scrutiny of Bexit negotiations and for consultations to devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is a boon to Prime Minister Theresa May as the bill that was passed will not be changed much when passed to the House of Lords on Wednesday.

MPs voted down Labour’s amendment for updates on Brexit negotiations to Parliament every two months by 333 to 284, a majority of 49, and rejected Labour’s second amendment to consult devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by 333 votes to 276, a majority of 57.

They also voted against the SNP’s amendment that the government should agree a Brexit plan with Scotland by 332 votes to 62, a majority of 270, and voted down a Plaid Cymru amendment for a report on the impact of Brexit on Wales by 330 votes to 267, a majority of 63.

Further amendments will be debated on Tuesday and the Labour amendment to guarantee the rights of EU nationals in Britain after the country leaves the EU will be voted on Wednesday.

May is reluctant to support this until the rights of British citizens living in EU member states will be guaranteed in turn by the bloc, although she recently praised the “contribution to our society and economy” of EU migrants.