POLITICS
Brexit meaningful vote timeline
April 2, 2019 - An amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill gave MPs a “meaningful vote” which stops government implementation of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal – agreed with Brussels – without Parliamentary approval.
MPs on Monday voted on four last-minute alternative Brexit options -- so-called indicative votes. All were defeated.
The option that came closest to getting a majority was a proposal to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU. Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke’s motion for permanent customs union failed by just three votes. The option limits new UK trade deals in goods with nations outside the EU but does not include trade deals in services -- the most significant part of the UK economy, accounting for 70 per cent of GDP.
A proposal to hold an affirmative referendum on any deal got the most votes but was defeated by 292-280.
Britain is now on course to leave the EU at 22:00GMT on April 12, unless May can present another viable option to EU leaders at an emergency Brexit summit on April 10.