MPs vote through Boris Johnson's Brexit bill by majority of 124

  • Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen

MPs have voted through Boris Johnson's Brexit bill on its second reading by 358 to 234, a majority of 124.

MPs also backed the Government's three-day timetable for the remaining stages of the bill in the Commons next month.

They approved the programme motion by 353 votes to 243, majority 110.

It was the first chance MPs had to vote on the Prime Minister's plan for the UK to leave the EU since last week's General Election which handed the Conservatives a commanding Commons majority.

The backing of the bill by MPs lays the ground for the UK to leave the EU on January 31.

Following the vote, the Prime Minister tweeted: "The second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement bill has passed - which means we are one step closer to getting Brexit done."

He was seen signing backbenchers' copies of their order pages of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) bill as he awaited the result of the votes.

Johnson at the dispatch box.

In the debate leading up to the vote on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) bill, the Prime Minister called for the nation to come together, insisting Leave and Remain labels were now defunct.

His conciliatory words came as he faced accusations that he had “binned” his withdrawal deal compromises in favour of a hard Brexit.

But Downing Street defended this apparent hardening of his Brexit bill by saying it had the overwhelming backing of the public.

The Conservative Party leader said his Brexit bill, along with his plans for Government, announced in the Queen’s Speech on Thursday, would bring about a “new dawn” for Britain.

Mr Johnson said: "Today we will deliver on the promise we made to the people and get the Brexit vote wrapped up for Christmas."

The bill passed with a majority of 124. Credit: Pa

  • What happens if Johnson's Brexit bill passes its second reading on Friday?

January 31: Brexit DayThe UK leaves the EU and trade talks with Brussels can begin.

30 June 2020Deadline for extending the transition period passes.

31 December 2020: Exit transition dateIf trade deal with EU not agreed and ratified, then the UK will leave without a deal.

“Now MPs will start the process of passing the bill. Then, at the beginning of the new decade, at the beginning of a new dawn for our country, our parliamentarians will return to Westminster to immediately finish the job, take us out of the EU on January 31 and move this country forward.

“After years of delay and rancour in Parliament, we will deliver certainty and hard-working businesses and people across this country will have a firm foundation on which to plan for the future.”

But critics on the opposition benches said Mr Johnson had “binned” his pre-election compromises on protections for workers and child refugees now that he had been “unbridled” by his crushing win at the polls.

The Government, as part of a re-drafted Brexit bill, looked to have rowed back on an original commitment to strike a deal with the EU so child refugees in Europe can continue to be reunited with their families in the UK, even after free movement ends.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was "one of the most appalling sections" of the legislation and told MPs: "Coming to up to Christmas, shame on this Government for abandoning children in this way."

On Friday morning it was the subject of a firey exchange between the prime minister and Labour's Lisa Nandy.

Clause 37 of the bill replaces the pledge with a watered-down vow for ministers to “make a statement” on the progress of the talks once the divorce with Brussels is complete.

Sir Keir reiterated Mr Johnson's call for a truce along Remain and Leave battle lines. Credit: PA

Winding up the debate for the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer said Labour may have lost the election, but they have "not lost our values and our beliefs".

He said Labour would not be voting for the bill which is "even worse" than it was when it was passed its first reading in October, describing the removal of the Dubs amendment for child refugees as a "moral disgrace".

Sir Keir reiterated Mr Johnson's call for a truce along Remain and Leave battle lines.

"We will have left the EU within the next six months," he said.

"Whatever side we were on, or no side at all, the Leave/Remain argument goes with it."

Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised the bill. Credit: PA

Acting Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, added: “Barely days away from the election and this Withdrawal Agreement reveals exactly what an unbridled Boris Johnson will do with the country.

“Every compromise made before the election, from workers’ rights to protections for unaccompanied refugee children, have been binned just as we warned they would.”

Downing Street said forthcoming legislation would show the Government’s commitment to upholding rights and protections after exit day.

A host of other changes were made to the Brexit ill since it was last before the Commons in October.

Mr Johnson has inserted a clause that will legally prohibit his Government from extending the transition period – the 11-month buffer during which his team will look to negotiate a trade deal with Brussels – beyond 2020.

The legal text will also boost the power of UK courts, giving judges the ability to overrule judgments made by the European Court of Justice.

If passed by MPs, the Brexit bill will return for its final stages in both the Commons and the House of Lords in the New Year before achieving Royal Assent.

The timetable paves the way for the UK to leave the EU by the January 31 deadline and for trade talks to commence.