Withdrawal Agreement: How MPs Voted
The Withdrawal Agreement, also known as the Brexit deal, has been a controversial topic in the United Kingdom since it was first proposed. The deal outlines the terms of the UK`s departure from the European Union and has divided the country, with some opposing it and others supporting it.
The deal was first presented to Parliament on 15 January 2019 and was voted down by a massive margin of 230 votes. This led to weeks of negotiations between the UK and the EU, resulting in a revised agreement being presented to Parliament on 29 January 2019.
On 12 March 2019, the revised agreement was put to a vote in the House of Commons. Here is how MPs voted:
For the Withdrawal Agreement: 242 MPs
Against the Withdrawal Agreement: 391 MPs
Abstained from voting: 7 MPs
The result was a resounding defeat for Prime Minister Theresa May, and it led to further political turmoil in the UK. The defeat also meant that the UK was due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 with no deal in place.
The government then decided to hold a series of indicative votes in an attempt to find a way forward. These votes took place on 27 March 2019 and included options such as a no-deal Brexit, a second referendum and a customs union. None of the options received a majority, and the UK was given an extension to its departure date.
In October 2019, a revised Withdrawal Agreement was presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This agreement was different from the previous version, as it included measures to address the issue of the Irish border. The agreement was put to a vote on 19 October 2019.
For the Withdrawal Agreement: 329 MPs
Against the Withdrawal Agreement 231 MPs
Abstained from voting: 0 MPs
This was a significant moment for Johnson, as it was the first time that a majority of MPs had supported the Withdrawal Agreement. However, Johnson`s victory was short-lived, as Parliament voted against his proposed timetable for passing the legislation, leading to another extension of the UK`s departure date.
In conclusion, the Withdrawal Agreement has been a divisive issue in the UK, with two prime ministers failing to secure its passage through Parliament. As the UK prepares to leave the EU, the future relationship between the two parties remains uncertain.