British MPs approve first stage of Brexit bill
UK PM Theresa May on February 1st received Parliament’s approval to begin the process of Britain’s exit from the European Union subsequently winning a crucial vote in the House of Commons.
British MPs voted in favour of the European Union Bill after two days of debate by a majority of 384 – 498 votes in favour to 114 against. The bill now faces further scrutiny in the Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law.
The British Prime Minister had confirmed that she will be publishing a White Paper on her Brexit strategy on Thursday.
The British PM had said last week that she would be publishing a White Paper on the negotiating plans for Britain’s exit from the EU in due course .
The confirmation of a date for the White Paper came because MPs continued a second day of debate on the so-called Brexit Bill.
The rulling party was expected to win despite the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party voting against it. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had issued a three-line whip, a strong disciplinary order, to his MPs to back the bill.
A total of 90 MPs are likely to oppose the bill, not enough to stop Theresa May moving a step closer to be able to work towards her declared timeline of wanting to invoke Article 50 by the end of March.
The bill will now return to the Commons next week for the committee stage, when Opposition parties will try to push through these amendments.
