Thread by @ThimontJack

While we've all been distracted by the big #Brexit votes in the Commons - some really interesting happenings in the Lords on the Trade Bill 1/

Last week, peers amended it to to say parliament (*both Houses*) must approve a negotiating mandate & approve a final trade deal before ratification

Also requires approval of mandate/deal by a designated select committees & consultation with the devolved administrations 2/

There have also been amdts which try and address the UK's negotiating objectives with the EU (e.g. customs union, Northern Ireland border, mobility framework), but I'll leave my excellent colleague @awstojanovic to explain what those mean... 3/

Most interesting (in my view!) is the amdt passed this week which prevents the Act from coming into force unless MPs have approved a deal, or have explicitly voted in favour of a motion approving leaving the EU without a deal 4/

While MPs rejected no deal this week, this becomes another opportunity to put pressure on the govt if an 'accidental no deal' becomes a possibility (no deal is legal default etc etc etc) 5/

This is important because Trade Bill is one of the key bills govt would need for no deal - it allows ministers to implement rolled over trade deals (which UK was a member of when part of the EU) & establishes Trade Remedies Authority & has been one of the most delayed.... 6/

Amdts still need MPs approval, although govt has previously delayed stages to avoid tricky amdts.

But time is running out. A50 extension may take heat off but govt will need to face the Commons at some point - or risk a significant gap in domestic law after Brexit 7/7