***SHENANIGANS KLAXON**: Govt is trying to bundle together concessions made in the Lords on a variety of issues in EU Withdrawal Bill with a bid to water down the meaningful vote. Would mean one vote on everything. Makes it harder for MPs to vote against.
But but but: Dominic Grieve was alive to the danger and has put down his own amendment which would break up the Govt's bundle and separate the concessions from the meaningful vote stuff.
It's all a bit complicated and in the parliamentary weeds but in simple terms it is the Govt trying to put pressure on MPs and Dominic Grieve trying to ensure there is a vote purely on the meaningful vote issue.
Govt's proposed changes to meaningful vote amendment would effectively turn it into what the Govt originally put forward last week (which made rebels very cross). Would allow MPs to consider Govt's what-happens-next plan if Parly rejects Brexit deal but no power to take control.
Rumours of a compromise:
What happens if there isn't a compromise:
MPs will vote on the Grieve amendment which is effectively to protect the meaningful vote/see off attempt to dilute it.
If he wins then the Govt's attempt to dilute will have been defeated.
So effectively the Grieve vote is THE vote.
MPs will vote on the Grieve amendment which is effectively to protect the meaningful vote/see off attempt to dilute it.
If he wins then the Govt's attempt to dilute will have been defeated.
So effectively the Grieve vote is THE vote.
NEW: The Government has issued a statement which says it is up to the Speaker to determine if a motion is amendable.
Why this matters: The Govt is offering Parliament a say on what happens if it rejects the Brexit deal. But critics believe the language the Govt wants to use to do it means MPs wouldn't actually be able to change anything/take control.
With this statement the Govt is saying that it thinks Parliament could have scope to try to influence things but it would be up to the Commons Speaker to give the okay to such an attempt.
All of this is a bit knotty. The only thing that really matters is if and when the House of Commons votes on Dominic Grieve's amendment. That is the moment. Should be at 3.45pm ish.
So Dominic Grieve backs down and says he is satisfied that the Government has acknowledged the role of Parliament in Brexit negotiations.
The conclusion of all of this is that the Speaker would have to make a big call if we ever got to the position where Parliament had rejected the Brexit deal (and the Government didn't fall).
It feels like the Tory rebels may have waved their white flag for not very much at all.
Easy win for the Govt as MPs vote down the Grieve amendment on the meaningful vote 319 to 303. Govt compromise amendment is then waved through without a formal vote.
Based on clerks note 👆 Govt will bring forward a neutral motion and Speaker, under standing orders, will have to rule it is unamendable.
MPs can then try to vote to disapply standing orders but crucially it's up to Govt to make time for such a vote. Would they do that?
MPs can then try to vote to disapply standing orders but crucially it's up to Govt to make time for such a vote. Would they do that?
Spoiler: The Government has no intention of bringing forward an amendable motion.
Prime Minister's spokesman this afternoon: "We will ensure that under standing orders the motion we bring forward is neutral."
Prime Minister's spokesman this afternoon: "We will ensure that under standing orders the motion we bring forward is neutral."
So if Parly rejects PM's Brexit deal and wants a meaningful say on what happens next, it'll be up to MPs to seek a vote to disapply standing orders so Govt's motion can be amended.
The Govt controls if a vote on standing orders takes place.
You may have spotted the problem here.
The Govt controls if a vote on standing orders takes place.
You may have spotted the problem here.
