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Extraordinary stuff... Commons now passed second reading of the EU Withdrawal Bill (5) Cooper-Letwin 315-310 against wishes of Government - this Bill now racing through all Commons stages tonight...
The Bill will oblige the PM to ask for a longer extension.... now amendments being discussed somewhat chaotically
Sir Bill Cash says the Bill is an abomination and he will make all the points he needs to - which deputy speaker says risks 3rd reading occurring tonight...
This was the Chair, deputy speaker Eleanor Laing interrupting lengthy Bill Cash oration saying her “estimate is that third reading will not occur, because the committee stage will take all the time available”... though the business motion said it had to... parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9e…
Bernard Jenkin asks “who here was elected to pass this Bill to delay article 50?”... reads out Yougov polling showing move to No Deal public support...
Here’s your guide again - eustice amendment and govt amendments defeated so far - it could be a long night of votes on this extraordinary Bill...
Curious as to why the Government amendment on not limiting powers of Brexit Sec to negotiate extension day was trashed by majority 400-220 - suggests something else going on there... vote lists soon.
This defeat of a Government whipped amendment by 180 is I think the second biggest defeat in Govt history - 91 Tories mainly ERG vote with Opposition 
DUP also voted against on this...
“we are happy to limit the powers of a minister etc as per the above” says one of the 91 Tory MPs who voted against Gov whip on this.. another source: “Shows how we’re coming back together after coming apart last Friday”... Opposition whips think this is the start of the “strike”
Basically unamended Cooper Letwin Bill has passed its committee stage 4 hours after its second reading....
MPs now voting on its third reading - ie the big final vote.
Peter Bone furious asking Speaker to “make this farce stop” and order “There can be no third reading”.
MPs now voting on its third reading - ie the big final vote.
Peter Bone furious asking Speaker to “make this farce stop” and order “There can be no third reading”.
Blimey by ONE VOTE cooper Letwin Bill passes Commons stages - mandating PM to ask for extension. Backbenchers legislating against Government wishes...
Ayes 313
Noes 312
Ayes 313
Noes 312
Now it goes to the House of Lords tomorrow where it is expected to pass in one day... speaker says it doesn’t need Royal Consent - seems likely to become Act...
Mark Francois says this is a “constitutional outrage” - “forgive them father for they know not what they do”
Mark Francois says this is a “constitutional outrage” - “forgive them father for they know not what they do”
Nobody from Government has replied in Commons ... which seems extraordinary - seizing control of order paper is one thing - actually passing statute in this way extraordinary...
Obviously none of this could happen to a Govt with a majority.
Obviously none of this could happen to a Govt with a majority.
Going to be some high quality attempts at filibustering in the Lords tomorrow...
It will be amusing to see all those who got very angry with Lords votes telling peers to accept the will of the elected House cheering on the amendments and attempts to talk out by ... the Lords!!
Filibustering will be limited by House voting ‘a member may no longer be heard’
Filibustering will be limited by House voting ‘a member may no longer be heard’
Expectation though is that after a long time and unlimited number of votes and amendments, there are overwhelming numbers in the Lords to get the Cooper Letwin bill passed “after a very long night”.
