Following the Government’s defeat in Parliament last night on the second ‘meaningful vote’ on the draft Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, the House of Commons today voted  on the motion put forward by the Prime Minister:

“That this House declines to approve leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship on 29 March 2019; and notes that leaving without a deal remains the default in UK and EU law unless this House and the EU ratify an agreement.”

Prior to the vote, two amendments to the motion were approved for debate by Speaker John Bercow, before being voted on – these amendments were:

  • amendment (a) from Labour MP Jack Dromey and Conservative Caroline Spelman. This amendment changes the wording of the Government motion to “this House rejects the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship”. This amendment was passed by 4 votes.
  • amendment (f), the ‘Malthouse Compromise’. This amendment for a ‘managed no deal’ inserts, after the Government’s motion, recommendations for the Government to take to minimise any disruption that may occur should the UK leave the EU without a deal. This amendment was defeated by 210 votes.

The Government’s motion was subsequently voted on as amended by amendment (a). The amended motion was passed 321 votes to 278.

In her statement following the vote, Theresa May again confirmed that the House of Commons will tomorrow (March 14) vote on whether they wish to see a short extension to Article 50 past March 2019. If an extension is agreed within the Commons, Theresa May must bring forward the appropriate legislative measures to alter the Brexit deadline currently enshrined in statute – as well as liaise with her European counterparts as to the length of the extension.

Chancellor’s Spring statement

In other news, in his Spring statement, the Chancellor announced two consultations relevant to financial services. The first is a consultation to take place ahead of the summer, on the future regulatory framework for financial services in the UK, post-exit. The second is a consultation later in the year, concerning future financial services legislation for the period immediately after the UK leaves the EU.