Brexiteers refuse to back Brady amendment which would send May back to renegotiate Irish backstop
Updates from Westminster as it happened
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Theresa May is under pressure to seek fresh concessions over Irish backstop as MPs gear up for a series of critical votes that could alter the course of Brexit.
Jacob Rees-Mogg said his Eurosceptic allies will not support a compromise amendment to remove the backstop tabled by Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady – despite Conservative MPs being ordered to vote for it on Tuesday by the government.
The prime minister is scrambling to find a plan to unite the Commons, after MPs overwhelmingly rejected her Brexit deal by 230 votes earlier this month.
Meanwhile Labour found itself under pressure over its position on the government’s immigration bill.
At first the party issued a one-line whip to abstain and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott announced the party would not oppose the bill during its second reading, insisting they would seek amendments at committee stage.
But ninety minutes later, after facing widespread criticism, the leadership issued a single-line-whip - which is not binding – for its MPs to vote against.
Labour MP Chris Leslie described the situation as an “utter shambles”.
During the debate home secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that there would be no “targets” in the immigration bill but reaffirmed a commitment to “bring net migration down to more sustainable levels.”
He revealed that, under the new legislation, EU citizens would be able to come to the UK for up to three months without a visa before being required to apply for leave to remain.
Mr Javid went on: “They will be allowed to work temporarily but will need to apply for leave, and pay an application fee if they want to stay longer.
“We plan to grant them three years leave subject to identity, security and criminality checks, this will give us the time needed to run our EU settlement scheme for EEA and Swiss nationals that are already living here, and ensure there is no sudden shock to UK businesses as the future system is put in place.
“But the leave will be strictly temporary. It cannot be extended and those who wish to stay will need to meet our future immigration requirements.”
See below for our coverage as it happened.
Journalists were getting very excited when it emerged that May told MPs the next meaningful vote could be held on February 13-14.
However No10 sources have clarified that May told meeting if govt hasn't arranged a second meaningful vote back by Feb 13, it will make a statement and table an amendable motion 'on where we are'.
Two SNP MPs have tabled an amendment to revoke Article 50 and "stop Brexit tomorrow."
As they note, a majority of Scotland voted Remain. "Worth a punt" is one of the replies to their tweets.
Labour appears to have changed its position since Diane Abbott said 90 minutes ago that the party would not be opposing the immigration bill.
According to reports it is still whipping its MPs to vote against it, rather than abstaining. However a one-line whip is not binding.
The government has suffered another defeat in the Lords over its Brexit strategy.
Peers backed, by 283 to 131, a Labour motion calling for ministers to take "all appropriate steps" to ensure the UK does not leave without an agreement.
It comes 24 hours before the Commons begins another crucial round of votes on amendments aimed at breaking the deadlock over the Prime Minister's withdrawal agreement.
Earlier during the debate, home secretary Sajid Javid again confirmed there are "no targets" in the government white paper on immigration.
However, he added: "We are still very clear that we must continue to work to bring net migration down to more sustainable levels."
Mr Javid said that that nationals from the EEA and Switzerland will be able to come to the UK for up to three months without a visa and face no additional border checks.
He went on: "They will be allowed to work temporarily but will need to apply for leave, and pay an application fee if they want to stay longer.
"We plan to grant them three years leave subject to identity, security and criminality checks, this will give us the time needed to run our EU settlement scheme for EEA and Swiss nationals that are already living here, and ensure there is no sudden shock to UK businesses as the future system is put in place.
"But the leave will be strictly temporary. It cannot be extended and those who wish to stay will need to meet our future immigration requirements."
The Independent first revealed the decision to drop immigration targets last month.
Here is our coverage of Labour's 'U-turn' on the immigration bill vote.
MPs have approved the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill at second reading by 297 votes to 234, a majority of 63.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments