Theresa May WINS 'meaningful vote' battle: Rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve is labelled the 'new Grand Old Duke of York' as he BACKS DOWN in row over getting MPs a final say over the EU deal

  • Theresa May faced a nail-biting vote on the government's flagship Brexit Bill
  • Tories threatened revolt on amendment calling for 'meaningful vote' on EU talks
  • Ringleader Dominic Grieve caved in this afternoon after limited concessions 
  • Tory whips were accused of deploying 'dark arts' on MPs to head off defeat
  • Labour accused government of forcing sick MPs to go through division lobbies 

Theresa May won the crucial Brexit Bill vote in the Commons tonight after Tory rebels dramatically backed down.

The Government won 319 to 303 to defeat a potentially explosive amendment that would have allowed the Commons to overrule the PM on a no deal Brexit.

The victory came after rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve effectively caved in following hours of frantic negotiations with ministers. 

Mr Grieve was ridiculed as the new 'Grand Old Duke of York' after he gave up his rebellion with no major new concession - even admitting to shouts of 'shame' Mrs May had conceded nothing new today. 

Last week the Government won 319 to 303 to defeat a potentially explosive amendment that would have allowed the Commons to overrule the PM on a no deal Brexit

The Government won 319 to 303 to defeat a potentially explosive amendment that would have allowed the Commons to overrule the PM on a no deal Brexit

Theresa May (pictured at PMQs today) won the crucial Brexit Bill vote in the Commons tonight after Tory rebels dramatically backed down 

Theresa May (pictured at PMQs today) won the crucial Brexit Bill vote in the Commons tonight after Tory rebels dramatically backed down 

He said:  'Having finally obtained, with a little bit more difficulty than I would have wished, the obvious acknowledgment of the sovereignty of this place over the executive in black and white language, I am prepared to accept the government's difficulty and in the circumstances to accept the form of amendment it wants.'

Mr Grieve - who has admitted in recent days he had lost sleep over the risk of collapsing the Government - called off his rebellion after accepting promises Parliament would get a proper say, whether there is a deal or not.

The final offer was a fudge of Commons procedure and led to bewilderment on both sides - but crucially allowed the Government to win without a major new concession.

To cries of 'shame' from the Labour benches, Mr Grieve even admitted that ministers had not given significant ground.

He said he was settling for a broad assurance that the House will be able to make its view on a Brexit deal 'clear' - suggesting he had been worried about collapsing the government.

Fellow rebel Stephen Hammond insisted there were enough concessions from ministers for both sides of the row to share the honours.  

The breakthrough came after rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve (pictured in the Commons last week) effectively caved in following hours of frantic negotiations with ministers

The victory came after rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve (pictured in the Commons today) effectively caved in following hours of frantic negotiations with ministers 

Opening the Commons debate yesterday, Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the commitment gave MPs a say without risking 'a situation in which parliament can instruct the Government how to proceed'

Opening the Commons debate this afternoon, Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the commitment gave MPs a say without risking 'a situation in which parliament can instruct the Government how to proceed'

Labour MP Wes Streeting was scathing about Mr Grieve, suggesting he had marched the rebels to the top of the hill and then retreated

Labour MP Wes Streeting was scathing about Mr Grieve, suggesting he had marched the rebels to the top of the hill and then retreated

The result will be a huge relief to the Prime Minister, who had warned that her whole Brexit strategy could be derailed if Mr Grieve's 'meaningful vote' amendment had been passed.

What happens now the meaningful vote row is over?

What happens now?

The Brexit Bill will briefly return to the House of Lords tonight for what is expected to be the final time. Peers must agree to the changes made by MPs this afternoon.

This will end 'ping pong' on the legislation - where it is passed back and forth between the House of Commons and House of Lords - after weeks of acrimony and allow it to be sent to the Queen and formally made law.

What did the Government promise?

Theresa May has agreed to demands that MPs and peers are given a vote if no deal is reached by 21 January next year.

There will also be a vote if the Prime Minister wants to abandon talks because there is not a good deal on offer.

Each vote will be held on a motion - the question put to MPs - stating only that MPs have considered the issue.

Why did Dominic Grieve back down?

The final fight was over whether MPs should be allowed to re-write the meaningful vote motion - a demand most of the Tory rebels, including ringleader Dominic Grieve gave up on today.

They were reassured by the Government saying Commons Speaker John Bercow has the final say on whether a motion can be changed or not.

Ministers also said they are powerless to stop MPs bringing their own motions that are critical of Brexit being put to MPs - even though these are not legally binding.

What has John Bercow got to do with it?

Rebels were furious last week when the Government compromise appeared to end their hopes of re-writing the meaningful vote motion.

To reassure them today, ministers issued a statement reiterating the rules of the House of Commons that say ultimately only the Speaker makes that decision.

In reality this is only a technical point as the Speaker is obliged to ban amendments on certain amendments. The meaningful vote motion has to be 'neutral', which falls into this category.

Why did MPs and peers demand a meaningful vote?

Tory rebels have fought for weeks to insist Parliament is sovereign and should be given a say if the negotiations fail.

Dominic Grieve tabled his own amendment to the Brexit Bill enshrining this in law last week. But he was convinced to pull it at the eleventh hour after assurances by ministers that they would address his concerns.

After claiming the Government reneged on its promises, he had another amendment today - but climbed down after new promises, insisting sovereignty of Parliament was now being recognised.

 

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But Mr Grieve was lambasted by Europhile Labour MPs, with Wes Streeting jibing: 'Someone ring Prince Andrew: we've got a new Grand Old Duke of York.' 

His capitulation also tore the unity of Tory Remainer rebels to shreds.

Just six chose to press ahead and vote for the amendment. 

They were Antoinette Sandbach, Phillip Lee, Sarah Wollaston, Anna Soubry, Ken Clarke and Heidi Allen. Ms Soubry made plain her frustration by tweeting the hashtag '#worldgonemad'.

As wrangling intensified in the run-up to the bitterly contested vote, Whips were accused of deploying 'dark arts' to secure the win.

Labour claimed the usual parliamentary etiquette of 'nodding through' ill MPs - rather than forcing them physically to pass through the division lobbies - had been suspended.

Bradford MP Naz Shah was seen being wheeled through the Commons chamber as the vote was held, apparently with a paper sick bag on her lap.  

A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said: 'As I understand it there has been a refusal to pass through people who are not in a state to vote in the normal way.

'And that's obviously unacceptable.'

Labour sources said a 'handful' of the party's MPs were affected by the Government crackdown. However, Government sources said 'genuine sickness' would always be accommodated.

Mrs May's wafer thin working majority of just 13 meant she faced disaster if even a small number of her MPs switched sides on the amendment calling for a 'meaningful vote' before the UK crashes out of the bloc without a deal.

At one point some 10 Tories were expected to rebel. 

In the event six supported the amendment - offset by four Labour MPs who defied Jeremy Corbyn to back the government. Several other Labour MPs abstained.

Government sources had been increasingly confident they would squeak home, and the last minute assurances - albeit limited - seem to push them over the line.

Mr Grieve did not formally withdraw his amendment, but said he would not support it. 

Remainer MPs still called a vote but from that moment they had little chance of success. In the end the victory margin of 16 was larger than the government's theoretical majority. 

Desperate negotiations have been underway all day as ministers and Remainers attempt to thrash out a compromise.

In a statement circulated this afternoon, Brexit Secretary David Davis pointed to Commons Standing Orders that say it 'will be for the Speaker to determine whether a motion when it is introduced by the Government under the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is or is not in fact cast in neutral terms and hence whether the motion is or is not amendable'.

'The Government recognises that it is open for Ministers and members of the House of Commons to table motions on and debate matters of concern and that, as is the convention, parliamentary time will be provided for this,' it says. 

Brexit Secretary David Davis circulated a letter (pictured) which was designed to buy off Conservative rebels

Brexit Secretary David Davis has circulated a letter (pictured) which was designed to buy off Conservative rebels

Mr Davis urged MPs to accept that the Brexit Bill now had to complete its passage through the Houses of Parliament

Mr Davis urged MPs to accept that the Brexit Bill now had to complete its passage through the Houses of Parliament

Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper expressed bewilderment at what had been agreed between the government and Mr Grieve

Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper expressed bewilderment at what had been agreed between the government and Mr Grieve

The assurance immediately won over one prospective rebel, with Nicky Morgan saying: 'I welcome acknowledgment from the Government that House of Commons standing orders mean that it is the Speaker who determines whether a motion is expressed in neutral terms - on this basis Parliament's vote is meaningful - and I will support Govt Amendment in lieu.'

Opening the Commons debate, Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the commitment gave MPs a say without risking 'a situation in which parliament can instruct the government how to proceed'.

The compromise fell short of the initial demands from rebels for MPs to get control of negotiations with Brussels.

And it drew a bewildered response from even long-standing Parliamentarians.

What is John Bercow's role in the deal with Tory rebels?

Commons Speaker John Bercow today

Commons Speaker John Bercow today

Tory rebels backed down after the Government insisted the Speaker John Bercow was ultimately in charge of whether the 'meaningful vote' can be amended.

The potential rebellion today was over a Government amendment which said the 'meaningful vote' had to be a 'neutral motion'. 

Ministers relied on the rulebook of the House of Commons, called Standing Orders, to make their case.

The rules say that 'neutral motions' cannot be amended, because they are a general statement - typically MPs have debated a topic. 

Crucially, the rules state the Speaker is who technically makes the final decision on what is and is not neutral. 

All sides accept this is a formality.  

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Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper said: 'Does anyone have a translation of this? What's the significance of 'in neutral terms'? If Govt puts down a 'take note' motion down does that mean it's officially 'neutral' and therefore cant be amended, even if it's taking note of something completely appalling?' 

Mr Grieve said after the vote that he had been motivated by saving the government. 

'We've managed to reach a compromise without breaking the government – and I think some people don't realise we were getting quite close to that,' he said.

'I completely respect the view of my colleagues who disagree, but if we can compromise we can achieve more.' 

Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was clearly delighted by the outcome. 

'It sends the prime minister to the negotiating table, and the Secretary of State, with a united House of Commons behind them,' he said.

Earlier, Tory MP Phillip Lee, who resigned as a minister last week in order to vote against the Government, tried to shore up the rebellion.

Asked how united the rebels were, he told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'We were always going to get the normal dark arts of Westminster taking place, fully expected, but my understanding is that the position taken by a number of colleagues is solid, which is why the Government is still in negotiations.'

He added: 'I continue to be hopeful that the Government will accept our position but fundamentally this is not about the Government, this is about Parliament and - I would argue - this is about my country, this is about securing a Brexit deal which is good for my country in the longer term.' 

Mr Grieve also insisted overnight that Remainers were determined to hold the line. 'I don't think there's any peeling away happening at all. I have seen no evidence of that,' he told the Telegraph. 

Bradford MP Naz Shah (circled) was seen being wheeled through the Commons chamber as the vote was held, apparently with a paper sick bag on her lap

Bradford MP Naz Shah (circled) was seen being wheeled through the Commons chamber as the vote was held, apparently with a paper sick bag on her lap

But senior Labourbackbencher John Mann said he would be supporting the government and urged colleagues to follow suit. 

'This amendment is dangerous and unacceptable,' he told The Times.

'It makes a no deal more likely and I would encourage Labour MPs in Leave areas not to be seduced by internal Tory battles. 

The Tory and Labour MPs who defied their own leaders  

Six Tories rebelled to back the 'meaningful vote' amendment:

Antoinette Sandbach

Phillip Lee

Sarah Wollaston

Anna Soubry

Ken Clarke 

Heidi Allen

Four Labour MPs rebelled to support the government against the motion:

John Mann

Graham Stringer

Frank Field

Kate Hoey 

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The latest phase of the fiery battle began last week when Mr Grieve brought forward an amendment to the Bill stating that MPs must be given a 'meaningful vote' on the final Brexit deal.

Faced with a potentially devastating rebellion which would have dealt a major blow to her authority, Mrs May promised to make some of the changes rebels were demanding to the Bill. 

But Mr Grieve said he was left shocked when, at the eleventh hour, ministers reneged on the deal and said Parliament could only have a vote in 'neutral terms' on the deal - meaning MPs could not express any opinion on it.

His rebel allies accused the government of 'sneaky' tactic and warned that the PM had shattered their trust in her.

On Monday the Lords passed an amendment setting out the compromise deal Mr Grieve thought he had struck with Mrs May, forcing the Commons to consider it. 

The government is now expected to push the legislation straight back to the Upper House tonight and try to get it finalised.

Defeat would have been extremely damaging for the PM but it is unclear whether it will have a real effect on Brexit. Rebels were adamant they did not want to bring down the government.

Mrs May had insisted she could not sign up to anything that would 'bind the hands' of the UK in negotiations and strengthen the EU's position. Constitutional experts also said Mr Grieve's amendment undermined the separation between the role of the executive and that of Parliament.

The House of Lords (pictured on Monday night) voted by a huge margin to back an amendment handing Parliament a say over negotiations if no deal is signed by late January next year

The House of Lords (pictured on Monday night) voted by a huge margin to back an amendment handing Parliament a say over negotiations if no deal is signed by late January next year

Theresa May (pictured leaving Downing Street today) is facing a nail-biting vote on the government's flagship Brexit Bill later

 

Sick MPs are wheeled into the Commons from HOSPITAL alongside a heavily pregnant woman for crunch Brexit vote as 'Tory whips refuse to allow them to be “nodded through"'

Two sick Labour MPs were made to turn up to the Commons in wheelchairs today for a crunch Commons vote after Tory whips allegedly stopped them being 'nodded through'.

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, was released from hospital and wheeled through the division lobbies clutching a sick bucket for the vote.

While another Labour MP was also wheeled through to cast their ballot in a vote on whether Parliament should be given a 'meaningful vote' if no Brexit deal is done.

Labour blamed Tory whips for making ill MPs physically turn up to vote rather than allowing them to be 'nodded through' in a more comfortable part of the estate.

The Tories deny the claims.

John Prescott, the ex deputy PM and Labour peer, accused Tory whips of an 'absolutely bloody shameful' display.

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West (pictured in the wheelchair today) was released from hospital and wheeled through the division lobbies clutching a sick bucket for the vote.

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West (pictured in the wheelchair today) was released from hospital and wheeled through the division lobbies clutching a sick bucket for the vote.

The former Labour deputy leader said party chefs should never force sick people to physically vote in the division lobbies 

The former Labour deputy leader said party chefs should never force sick people to physically vote in the division lobbies 

Lord Prescott, the former deputy PM - tore into Tory whips for making the MPs physically troop through the division lobbies despite their ill health 

Lord Prescott, the former deputy PM - tore into Tory whips for making the MPs physically troop through the division lobbies despite their ill health 

He said on Twitter: 'In all my years in Parliament - even in the 1970s - I have NEVER seen this. This is absolutely bloody shameful.

'I trust Labour MPs will be disgusted by these desperate and heartless Tory tactics, vote against the Government and back the meaningful vote.'

He added: 'The Tory whips are forcing sick people to do this. Lower than vermin.'

Ms Pidcock, the heavily pregnant Labour MP, also had to march through the division lobbies with her hundreds of colleagues.

A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn confirmed the Government was obstructing sick MPs.

He said: “As I understand it there has been a refusal to pass through people who are not in a state to vote in the normal way.

‘And that’s obviously unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, heavily pregnant shadow minister Cat Smith, who is just days from her due date, had to miss the vote after she was taken to hospital after a 'scare' and has been advised not to travel.

Ms Smith is one of three MPs on the Opposition benches who are in the latter stages of pregnancy. Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson also turned up to vote.

heavily pregnant Labour MP Laura Pidcock voted today
Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson told MailOnline she would be attending despite being overdue

Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson (pictured right)and . Labour's Laura Pidcock (pictured left in the Commons last month) also voted despite being heavily pregnant

 

 

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