Voting in progress
The vote on changes to British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan is under way, as lawmakers have already begun voting on proposals to change direction on the issue of divorce with the European Union.
A number of amendments have been tabled by MEPs following May's original draft agreement, which was voted against by the British Parliament in early January. Among the amendments are plans to delay leaving the EU in order to avoid an exit without an agreement but also to call for the replacement of the Irish backstop with "alternative arrangements".
- British MPs voted against with 327 votes in favor and 296 in favor of the first amendment tabled by Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn.
- And the second amendment tabled by Scottish SNP spokesman Ian Blackford, calling for an extension of Article 50, was voted down by 327 against and only 39 in favor.
- The third amendment tabled by former Conservative MP Dominique Greaves, who is in favor of holding a second referendum, also voted against with 321 votes in favor and 301 in favor. Greaves' amendment paves the way for MEPs to consider alternatives to the withdrawal agreement, such as the so-called Norway proposal, proposing that Britain remain in the EU single market and customs union. He was described as extremely important, as he also proposed a change in the way the British Parliament operates.
- With 298 in favor and 321 against, the fourth amendment tabled by the Labor MP, Yvette Cooper, did not pass. The amendment gave May until February 26 to secure parliamentary approval for a renewed Brexit agreement. If this expires, MEPs will have the right to request an extension of Article 50, the EU procedure under which the country is due to leave the Union on 29 March.
Earlier, the British Prime Minister in her speech to parliament stressed that she seeks to renegotiate the agreement reached with the European Union on Brexit in order to ensure "Significant" changes, although this is very likely to meet strong resistance from the Union.
At a meeting of Conservative MPs with Theresa May yesterday, it appeared that some Brexit supporters were willing to support MP Graham Brady's amendment, which sets a time limit or backstop replacement, but the Eurosceptic and ERG group did not agree. seems to be collaborating with Remain (Tory) supporters on another project. Former Secretary of State Boris Johnson says binding changes are needed in the text of the Backstop Exit Agreement.