Commons Speaker rejects bid to hold 'meaningful vote' on Johnson's Brexit deal
Commons Speaker John Bercow has rejected a UK Government bid to hold a “meaningful vote” on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal today.
The Speaker said the Government’s motion today was the same in substance as the one considered on Saturday by MPs.
He told the Commons: “It’s clear that the motions are in substance the same.
“However, this matter was decided fewer than 49 hours ago. After more than three hours of debate the House voted by 322 to 306 for Sir Oliver Letwin’s amendment, which stated that ‘this House has considered the matter but withholds approval unless and until implementing legislation is passed’.”
Mr Bercow said: “Today’s motion is in substance the same as Saturday’s motion, and the House has decided the matter.
The Speaker John Bercow has ruled that the Prime Minister's motion on the Withdrawal Agreement will not be debated today as as it would be "repetitive and disorderly to do so". pic.twitter.com/cozH21CiQb
— UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 21, 2019
“Today’s circumstances are in substance the same as Saturday’s circumstances.
“My ruling is therefore that the motion will not be debated today as it would be repetitive and disorderly to do so.”
Mr Bercow said the “same question convention” is “a necessary rule to ensure the sensible use of the House’s time, and proper respect for the decisions that it takes”.
Downing Street has said the Government is “disappointed” with the Speaker’s ruling not to allow a fresh vote.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said they would now prefer to go ahead with the introduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
“We are disappointed that the Speaker has yet again denied us the chance to deliver on the will of the British people,” the spokesman said.
The Government is due to publish the Withdrawal Agreement Bill later on Monday, with the second reading debate due to take place on Tuesday.
The Withdrawal Agreement Bill is the legally-binding treaty that must be passed for the UK to leave the EU, while the Government must also win a meaningful vote.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay called on MPs to “respect the referendum” by backing the Bill, warning them: “This is the chance to leave the EU with a deal on October 31.”
Ministers insist they could have sufficient support among MPs to get it passed so the UK can depart by the current October 31 deadline.
But, with no Commons majority, Mr Johnson faces a major battle to achieve his pledge to lead the country out of the bloc on that date.
Labour has denied it is trying to scupper the PM’s agreement by planning to amend it to secure a customs union and a second referendum as the legislation passes through Parliament.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth told Today: “We are not attempting to wreck it, we are attempting to safeguard the British economy, safeguard jobs and safeguard public services.
“We believe that the responsible way in which to leave the European Union is in a customs union arrangement and that, in turn, should be put to the British people so they can have a say on this.”
Number 10 is opposed to a customs union and second referendum, and warned that if the legislation in the Commons “steps too far away” from what has been agreed with the EU then it would “bring into question ratification”.
Meanwhile, judges at Scotland’s highest civil court, who have been asked to rule on whether the PM lawfully complied with the Benn Act, delayed making a decision until it becomes clear to them it was “complied with in full”.
Under the Benn Act, which was passed by MPs trying to fend off a no-deal Brexit, Mr Johnson was forced to send an unsigned letter to Brussels requesting an extension to the October 31 deadline because MPs did not support his deal on Saturday.
But he signed a second letter saying a delay would be a mistake.
