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Brexit vote: Which amendments will MPs be voting on tonight?

Any successful bids will not be legally binding but they will carry significant political weight

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 27 February 2019 17:32 GMT
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MPs are gearing up for a fresh set of Brexit votes tonight, when they will seek to force the government to shift its EU exit strategy.

The Commons has been presented with a neutral motion by Theresa May, which "notes the prime minister’s statement on leaving the EU of 26 February; and further notes that discussions between the UK and the EU are ongoing".

Rival amendments have been tabled to the motion, including efforts to force the prime minister to rule out a no-deal exit. However some heat has been taken out of tonight's clashes after Ms May accepted demands for a Commons vote on delaying Brexit.

Any successful bids will not be legally binding but they will carry political weight, sending a signal to Downing Street and Brussels over the kind of Brexit that parliament could support.

Here are the amendments Speaker John Bercow has selected:

Labour - amendment A

Jeremy Corbyn has tabled proposals for a softer Brexit, including a "comprehensive" customs union with the EU and closer alignment on rights, protections and the single market.

He has written to Tories and the DUP, urging them to join Labour MPs in the division lobbies in support of the plan.

This vote is also interesting because Labour has said it will support a second referendum if their plan is rejected - in a major boost for a Final Say vote.

SNP - amendment K

In the name of SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, this amendment would require the government to immediately rule out a no-deal Brexit "under any and all circumstances" and regardless of the exit date.

This is unlikely to pass as it lacks significant cross-party support.

Costa - amendment B

Tory MP Alberto Costa tabled this bid to ensure the protection of citizens rights after Brexit.

His amendment, which has the backing of more than 140 MPs from across the House, including Mr Corbyn, calls for a separate agreement with the European Union to protect the rights of expats even if there is a no-deal Brexit.

The government has indicated it will accept it - but not before Mr Costa had resigned as a parliamentary aide to Scottish secretary David Mundell as government aides are not allowed to table amendments.

Cooper - amendment F

Labour ex-minister Yvette Cooper is trying to hold the enshrine Ms May's promise to give the Commons a vote on whether to pursue a no-deal Brexit or delay exit day if her deal is rejected.

This also has significant cross-party support - including many of the names behind the Spelman/Dromey effort, which was withdrawn during the debate.

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Withdrawn:

Spelman/Dromey- amendment C

Conservative Dame Caroline Spelman and Labour's Jack Dromey put forward this cross-party amendment, which paves the way for a Commons bill that would give MPs a vote on whether to extend Article 50 if no Brexit deal can be agreed.

Dame Caroline said during the debate that she would not press her amendment to a vote tonight.

The duo were the only ones to successfully win their amendment during the last set of votes.

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