On paper, this week ought to be a decisive one for the government’s Brexit position. After Theresa May’s Brexit deal was voted down by 230 votes, MPs now have the chance to vote on their own amendments to that deal. The majority are non-binding – but they do carry political weight – while a handful would lead to legislation and therefore force the government’s hand. The two amendments currently being talked up as the most likely to pass are the Yvette Cooper amendment to stop no deal and the Graham Brady amendment to ditch the backstop.
The Brady amendment seeks to make clear that MPs will back May’s deal if the backstop is replaced with alternative arrangements. Put forward by the 1922 committee chair, the aim is to show that Theresa May’s deal can pass the Commons with Tory and DUP votes if the backstop is replaced.
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