[Denver]

The Brexit bill is in its final parliamentary stages, with the House of Lords on the verge of backing down and backing the landmark legislation.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is set to be passed after peers voted by 273 votes to 135 not to challenge the Commons again over the rights of EU nationals.

Labour says it will not continue its opposition, including over the issue of a vote on the final Brexit deal.

This came as MPs voted overwhelmingly to overturn the Lords amendments.
MPs rejected calls for the government to protect the status of EU nationals within three months of the start of Brexit talks by 335 votes to 287 and then dismissed calls for Parliament to have a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal by 331 to 286 votes.

Labour peers have said they will not vote to reinsert the provisions, meaning a period of what is known as "parliamentary ping-pong" between the elected chamber and its unelected counterpart is highly unlikely.
Conceding defeat, Labour's leader in the Lords Baroness Smith, told the BBC they had "done their best" in the face of what she claimed was the government's "pure stubbornness" but she said for the Lords to continue its opposition when the views of MPs were clear would be an "empty gesture".
Crossbench peer Lord Pannick said "it was time to give way" to the elected chamber.

As peers gathered to consider their position. the Lib Dems accused Labour of "giving up" and said they would continue to "fight until the end of the process" - forcing a fresh vote on the status of EU nationals in the UK.


Lib Dem peers led calls for the status of EU nationals to be put to the vote again
Both Houses of Parliament have to agree the text of the bill before it can be sent for Royal Assent and become law. Prime Minister Theresa May could then theoretically trigger Article 50, which formally starts the Brexit process, as early as Tuesday.

However, Downing Street sources have said this will not happen this week and the PM is expected to wait until the end of the month to officially notify the EU of the UK's intention to leave.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39249721

[smudgie]

Ready for the Royal assent, then push that button.
No amendments, time to get on with it.

[Northern Monkey]

F U EU

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey

F U EU

Here, here!

[jaxie]

We really need to make a start on this now, so much speculation and accusation about the actual negotiations already and they haven't even started yet.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey

F U EU

For Sure