MPs give Theresa May power to start Brexit talks

MPs give Theresa May power to start Brexit talks

Prime minister can start Brexit negotiations after getting parliamentary approval.

By CYNTHIA KROET 2/1/17, 9:01 PM CET Updated 2/1/17, 9:27 PM CET

http://www.politico.eu/article/mps-give-theresa-may-power-to-start-brexit-talks-article-50/

A large majority of British MPs on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that authorizes Prime Minister Theresa May to officially begin Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

In a packed parliament, and after two days of debate, 498 lawmakers voted with the government and 114 voted against.

The Scottish National Party and most, but not all, Liberal Democrats voted against the Brexit bill as did one Conservative — veteran Europhile Ken Clarke — and 47 Labour MPs, who defied Jeremy Corbyn’s orders to back the bill.

Corbyn has seen four members of his shadow cabinet quit after refusing to follow the party line. Two of those — Rachael Maskell and Dawn Butler — resigned in the hours before the vote. Maskell said she could not support a “Theresa May Brexit.” Butler said she couldn’t vote for a bill “which she is sure will make her constituents poorer.”

There were loud cheers in the chamber as the vote was announced but one MP yelled “suicide” as the result was read out.

MPs also voted down an amendment from the Scottish National Party opposing the triggering of Article 50 because the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were not being properly consulted. The government won that vote by 336 votes to 100.

There were 33 Labour rebels in that vote.

The government was forced to seek MPs’ approval to trigger Article 50 after the Supreme Court ruled last week that May could not take the decision without parliament’s consent.

May has said she wants to trigger Article 50 before the end of March. Media reports this week suggested her preferred date was March 9.

The bill now will now face further scrutiny in the Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law.

Earlier Wednesday, May told parliament she would publish a white paper on her Brexit plans on Thursday.

During the debate, former chancellor George Osborne said the government had chosen “not to make the economy the priority in this negotiation, they have prioritized immigration control.” He said the EU’s priority during the talks would be to “maintain the integrity of the remaining 27 members of the European Union.”

Authors:

Cynthia Kroet