- MPs vote to trigger Article 50 by 498 to 114
- SNP amendment rejected
- Two Labour shadow cabinet ministers resign, more expected
- 17 Labour frontbench MPs defy Jeremy Corbyn
- The road to Britain's exit from the EU
- Sketch: Is George Osborne over Brexit? Not quite yet ...
Boris Johnson said that “history has been made” after MPs voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday night in favour of triggering Brexit negotiations and beginning the process of leaving the EU.
The Foreign Secretary called it a “momentous” night as MPs voted four to one in favour of triggering Article 50. Kenneth Clarke, a former chancellor, was the only Tory MP to oppose it.
Theresa May, the Prime Minister, will today publish a White Paper formally setting out the Government’s plans for Brexit in response to the concerns of pro-European Tory MPs.
However, there were further signs of division among the Conservatives as George Osborne, the former chancellor, accused Mrs May of putting Brexit ahead of the economy and warned he will join the “fight” over Britain’s future outside the EU.
Wednesday’s vote means the Government’s Brexit legislation has cleared its first hurdle and Mrs May is on course to trigger the process by her March deadline. There had been 14 and a half hours of debate and bitter clashes in Parliament over two days as nearly 100 MPs expressed their views about Brexit.
MPs finally voted in favour of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill by 498 votes to 114, with 47 Labour MPs, 50 SNP MPs and seven Liberal Democrats voting against.
It leaves Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, facing his third reshuffle in 18 months after 17 serving frontbenchers voted against it. Four members of his front bench team have already quit.
Mr Johnson said: “I’ve just voted three times in the House of Commons for an absolutely momentous thing – to give our Prime Minister the right to trigger Article 50 and Britain to begin the path out of the EU. Don’t forget we may be leaving the EU treaties but we are not leaving Europe.
“We are going to be making an amazingly positive contribution to our continent as we always have done and always will. But we are now able to forge a new identity with new free trade deals as global Britain.”
However, Mr Osborne said that Mrs May has chosen “not to make the economy the priority in this negotiation”.
He said that there will be “lively debates” to come on migration, state aid and agricultural policy. “I will be in those fights for years to come,” he said. While he had argued “passionately” for Britain to stay in the European Union, Mr Osborne said, he had “lost the case” and “sacrificed” his position in Government.
Ahead of the debate, Mrs May accused those planing to vote against Article 50 of abusing the trust of the people. During the debate Neil Coyle, a Labour MP who wants Britain to stay in the EU, was censured for calling the Government “b-------”. He also called Mr Corbyn’s decision to impose a three-line whip on the vote a “disgrace”.
Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, said he would not oppose Article 50 even though he had not wanted the referendum. “We do not want to give the sense that people who voted for Brexit because they felt they had been ignored are being ignored once again,” he said.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, faced jeers of “where were you” from MPs after failing to turn up to the debate on Tuesday.
Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader, said: “The choice the House will get is a bad deal or no deal.” The White Paper – conceded by Mrs May last month – will be based on the 12-point plan contained in her Brexit speech at Lancaster House last month.
'Labour can’t speak for themselves, let alone speak for the country'
A Conservative Party spokesman has said:
Forty seven Labour MPs voting against the article 50 Bill shows Labour can’t speak for themselves, let alone speak for the country. They’re hopelessly divided and can’t even agree whether they should back the Bill to implement the decision taken by the public to leave the EU.
What we do know is that they aren’t interested in controlling our own laws or immigration and are completely out of touch with ordinary working people.
Corbyn: 'The challenge is for MPs of all parties to ensure the best deal for Britain'
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said:
Labour MPs voted more than three to one in favour of triggering Article 50. "Now the battle of the week ahead is to shape Brexit negotiations to put jobs, living standards and accountability centre stage.
Labour's amendments are the real agenda.
The challenge is for MPs of all parties to ensure the best deal for Britain, and that doesn't mean giving Theresa May a free hand to turn Britain into a bargain basement tax haven.
Tim Farron: Labour leadership has waved the white flag
Commenting on the Second Reading vote on the Article 50 Bill, Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The Tories and Labour have failed future generations today by supporting a hard Brexit.
"Labour's leadership tonight have waved the white flag. They are not an opposition, they are cheerleaders.
"The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to give the British people the final say on the deal."
Boris Johnson: 'An absolutely momentous thing'
The foreign secretary has taken to Facebook to add to his earlier tweet about the "historic" vote to trigger Article 50.
He said: "I've just voted three times in the House of Commons for an absolutely momentous thing - to give our Prime Minister the right to trigger Article 50 and Britain to begin the path out of the EU.
"Don't forget we may be leaving the EU treaties but we are not leaving Europe.
"We are going to be making an amazingly positive contribution to our continent as we always have done and always will. But we are now able to forge a new identity with new free trade deals as global Britain."
Liberal Democrat rebellion?
Tim Farron faces major parliamentary rebellion as 22% of Lib Dem MPs fail to back his anti-Brexit stance in vote. Both of them abstained.
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) February 1, 2017
Video: Theresa May leaves parliament
.@theresa_may leaves parliament after winning #Article50 vote. I could see she was smiling in the car #Brexit pic.twitter.com/i87L2Fl0Em
— Simon Dedman (@SiDedman) February 1, 2017
Did Diane Abbott abstain?
It looks like Diane Abbott, one of Mr Corbyn's closest allies, has abstained on the vote this evening.
Her constituency is one of those which backed Remain by a large majority. Some sources suggesting she may have been taken ill, but after she appeared over the weekend calling on Labour MPs to back the leader it wouldn't look good if she just decided not to vote ...
Diane who was on the Sunday shows laying down the law to her colleagues ... https://t.co/jXXj9Kw44u
— Joe Murphy (@JoeMurphyLondon) February 1, 2017
Looks like Diane Abbott's illness isn't too serious, seeing as though she managed to tweet this two hours ago. https://t.co/ihFW08KI1Z
— Kevin Schofield (@PolhomeEditor) February 1, 2017
Boris Johnson: 'Historic vote'
Historic vote in Parliament tonight. A huge majority to get our Brexit negotiations going forward. History has been made
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 1, 2017
SNP reacts to vote
The SNP campaigned hard against triggering Article 50 and made up the bulk of those voting against this evening. This tweet sums up the party's feelings on the matter...
Tories wandering around slapping each other on the back. The fools don't realise that's two unions they've broken tonight #brexitshambles
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) February 1, 2017
Breakdown of MPs who voted to block Article 50
Breakdown of 114 MPs voting against Brexit by party pic.twitter.com/MyzPxvX6ja
— Graeme Demianyk (@GraemeDemianyk) February 1, 2017
Reaction to Article 50 vote
Proud to have been part of British history today and one of the 498 MPs voting for Bill to trigger Article 50 & the road to independence
— Tim Loughton (@timloughton) February 1, 2017
Although I campaigned to remain, I accept the result of referendum & have voted for 2nd reading of #brexitbill this evening
— Emma Reynolds (@EmmaReynoldsMP) February 1, 2017
I and others will vote against Bill @UKHouseofLords @LabourLordsUK to block May's right wing #Brexit nightmare for Britain https://t.co/mtmnHrXOKp
— Peter Hain (@PeterHain) February 1, 2017
Just one Scottish MP - @DavidMundellDCT - voted for Brexit bill to proceed. The rest who were in Parliament opposed.
— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) February 1, 2017
Labour update - more resignations expected
We're working our way through the list of Labour front bench MPs who voted against Jeremy Corbyn and refused to block Article 50.
So far they include: Kevin Brennan, Lyn Brown, Jeff Smith, Dan Zeichner, Ruth Cadbury, Rupa Huq, Thangam Debonnaire, Catherine West, Vicky Foxcroft.
It is likely that some, if not all, will resign or be sacked if the party follows convention.
More than a dozen Labour frontbenchers rebelled against Jeremy Corbyn's Article 50 3-line whip, I'm told.
— Kevin Schofield (@PolhomeEditor) February 1, 2017
Labour source: "Looks like Labour MPs voted 3-to-1 in favour of triggering Article 50 - 149 to 47.
— Kevin Schofield (@PolhomeEditor) February 1, 2017
Statement: Labour MP Frank Field
Commenting on tonight’s vote on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, Frank Field MP said:
"I voted against the amendment which would have wrecked the implementation of the referendum decision to leave the EU.
"I then voted for the bill that will begin the withdrawal negotiations. I did so because I believe on balance that leaving the EU is the best course for the country. I would have done so even if a majority of constituents taking part in the referendum had voted otherwise; a majority of them happened to vote in favour of leaving.
"I voted on the basis of risks. Staying in the EU would have had risks, and never more so when the single currency implodes. Leaving has risks in that we will need to negotiate our own treaties with the rest of the world.
"I don’t accept that the EU will be able to punish us that easily. If, for example, there is no agreement for the City of London, we may see a financial crisis developing in the EU banking system which any sensible European would be anxious to prevent. So the negotiations will swing between advantages and disadvantages, and we must aim for an agreement – however it is presented by the EU – which is good for both sides.
"That will prove to be difficult, but we must set out with that aim. To encourage that aim I believe we should universally cease using EU citizens in Britain as a bargaining chip. Getting off on a high note will, I hope, help to savour the negotiations which will be long, hard, detailed, and frustrating for most of the time."
114 MPs block Brexit by voting against Article 50
We'll get a full breakdown of who voted for what shortly but a rough look at those numbers suggests around 50 SNP MPs voted against Article 50 with around 60 others also blocking the bill.
Some of those will by Liberal Democrat and others, but it looks like there could be up to 50 Labour MPs who defied Jeremy Corbyn to vote against, which would be more than expected.
Of those in the shadow cabinet so far Dawn Butler, Rachael Maskell, Tulip Siddiq and Jo Stevens have already resigned.
Clive Lewis, Catharine West, Jeff Smith, Thangam Debbonaire, Daniel Zeichner, Lyn Brown and Vicky Foxcroft could all follow shortly.
Labour resignations
Some reports suggest there could be eight resignations this evening following the vote.
Earlier today Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman was unclear about whether MPs who refuse to back the leader's position will be forced to resign or be sacked.
They said the process would be explained "later". Which could be this evening or tomorrow.
Either way MPs who vote against triggering Article 50 and who have a position in Mr Corbyn's top team are expected to be asked to leave. This will trigger a reshuffle.
Video: MPs vote against SNP amendment
MPs react to vote
In a packed Aye lobby voting to trigger #Article50 to leave the EU. The most important @HouseofCommons vote in many years.
— William Wragg MP (@William_Wragg) February 1, 2017
Huge crowd of MPs in pro Article 50 lobby.
— Jon Trickett (@jon_trickett) February 1, 2017
Chloe Smith carries her baby through the chamber to vote. Bercow very encouraging. Iain Duncan Smith asks: "Does that count as two votes?"
— Ben Glaze (@benglaze) February 1, 2017
Aye lobby fit to burst #article50
— julian knight mp (@julianknight15) February 1, 2017
Voting Aye to begin leaving the EU. Really sad but always stood up for constituents & their concerns. Immigration remains a key concern.
— Graham Jones MP (@GrahamJones_MP) February 1, 2017
Another Labour shadow cabinet member to resign?
Vicky Foxcroft, Lab whip, just went into No lobby for the actual 2nd reading of Article 50 bill. Expect her to resign or be sacked v soon
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) February 1, 2017
MPs reject SNP amendment
MPs have rejected the SNP amendment as expected.
The result: Ayes 100, Noes 336.
SNP Europe spokesperson Stephen Gethins MP said the Westminster system had broken its promises on Scotland’s place in the EU: “This is a devastating act of sabotage on Scotland’s economy and our very social fabric. Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the EU and it is easy to see why given the jobs, investment and industries that rely so heavily on our EU membership.
“Over 98% of Scotland’s MPs opposed triggering Article 50 but once again Scotland’s best interests have been put to one side. That will have an impact on our livelihoods, rights and the EU citizens who call Scotland home and contribute so much to our society.
MPs voting on SNP amendment first
This amendment is unlikely to pass, but MPs are voting on it first before the main event.
It calls on the Government to consult the devolved powers on Brexit and calls on her to set out her objectives for the negotiation.
Full text: That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill as the Government has set out no provision for effective consultation with the devolved administrations on implementing Article 50, has yet to publish a White Paper detailing the Government's policy proposals, has refused to give a guarantee on the position of EU nationals in the UK, has left unanswered a range of detailed questions covering many policy areas about the full implications of withdrawal from the single market and has provided no assurance that a future parliamentary vote will be anything other than irrelevant, as withdrawal from the European Union follows two years after the invoking of Article 50 if agreement is not reached in the forthcoming negotiations, unless they are prolonged by unanimity.
Minister: We must all work together in the national interest
David Jones calls on MPs to come together to back triggering Article 50.
He says this vote is not on the final outcome of the referendum and MPs must ensure that certainty is given to the EU and the rest of the country by allowing the Government to proceed now.
That's it, the bell is going, MPs are voting.
We are not turning our back on the EU
The minister says EU citizens will be welcome in the UK and warns the country is not turning its back on the union.
"We have no plans to withdraw from the ECJ", Jones adds.
Triggering Article 50 gives notice to leave a number of other EU organisations he says, but adds that doing so will not compromise the safety of the UK or the rest of the world.
Jones: There must be no attempt to rejoin the EU
The minister says there can be no attempt to try and rejoin the union "by the backdoor" and that MPs must now ensure Brexit happens.
He says the Government wants to uphold and strengthen the union after we leave and is not seeking to diminish it.
The devolved administrations do not have a veto, he says.
Minister David Jones summing up for the Government
The debate is winding up now and the minister for exiting the EU David Jones thanks MPs for their excellent contributions.
It is convention for the Labour and Conservative ministers to sum up the debate at the close. Usually they try to mention most people who spoke, but Jones says he hopes to be excused for not doing so.
"The people made their decision" he says.
Jenny Chapman: We must allow the process to begin
Labour's shadow exiting the EU minister is speaking from the frontbench now.
It comes as two of her colleagues just resigned in order to vote against triggering Article 50.
She says the decision has been made and the process should be allowed to begin.
Our determination to stand alongside our European partners will never be in doubt, she says.
"Tolerance, openness, cooperation, solidarity", she says, are all essential and should be protected even though the political tide is against people who seek to do so.
She says creatives need to flourish in a post-Brexit UK and that Labour will protect jobs and industry.
Chapman says that people did not vote to be poorer. Her speech is interesting but MPs are not listening and many are shouting over her.
Theresa May takes her seat in the chamber
Interesting that @theresa_may now in chamber for closing minutes of Article 50 Brexit debate. No sign of @jeremycorbyn yet
— Robert Peston (@Peston) February 1, 2017
Dawn Butler statement on resignation
The Labour MP has issued a statement to Jeremy Corbyn explaining her decision to resign:
"As leader of the opposition you have moved the Government from their position of “Brexit means Brexit” to one that has seen them agree to bring forward a white paper for parliament to properly scrutinise.
"Unfortunately I still feel strongly that I want to send a message to our Prime Minister that I do not agree with the direction she is [taking the country in] the way for me to do that is to vote against this second reading."
She told the Evening standard; "I’m resigning. It’s unfortunate — we are in a very difficult situation in the Labour Party."
BREAK: Dawn Butler also resigns from Labour front bench
A second Labour MP has resigned from the shadow cabinet ahead of the vote later this evening.
Dawn Butler, the shadow equalities minister, has also announced her decision to stand down.
Jeremy Corbyn has issued a statement: "I would like to thank Dawn and Rachael for their work in the shadow cabinet. They are great assets to the Labour Party and to our movement.
“MPs have a duty to represent their constituents as well as their party, and I understand the difficulties that MPs for constituencies which voted Remain have in relation to the European Union withdrawal Bill.
“However, it is right that the Labour Party respects the outcome of the referendum on leaving the European Union. We have said all along that Labour will not frustrate the triggering of Article 50 and to that end we are asking all MPs to vote for the Bill at its second reading tonight.
“I wish both Dawn and Rachael well and look forward to working with them in the future.”
BREAK: Labour shadow Defra secretary resigns
Rachael Maskell has resigned from Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet over the Article 50 vote.
Maskell has resigned, she tells @rowenamason - "the UK is no longer being offered a people’s Brexit, but a Theresa May Brexit".
— Heather Stewart (@GuardianHeather) February 1, 2017
Maskell has published a statement on why she is voting against Article 50. The decision put her on a collision course with the party leader, who has insisted that any shadow cabinet members not backing the Government will have to leave the front bench.
Statement from Labour shadow cabinet minister Rachael Maskell, on why she is defying Jeremy Corbyn and voting against Brexit tonight pic.twitter.com/Dsl6YvdOGA
— Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) February 1, 2017
Owen Smith vows to vote against Article 50
The former Labour leadership contender says Brexit will make the country "poorer" and politics "meaner".
He says he can't vote in favour of triggering Article 50 because he is a democrat.
Labour values are at risk, he warns. That's why Article 50 should not be triggered by Parliament this evening.
Stephen Doughty: I fear those who felt left behind will still feel the same after Brexit
The Labour MP warns that leaving the EU won't stop people feeling like they don't have a voice in this country.
He claims that Theresa May is not a leader but a follower who is thrall to President Trump.
"We have to think very hard about where we head" he adds.
He vows to vote against triggering Article 50 later tonight.
Tracy Brabin breaks down during the Brexit debate
The MP who took Jo Cox's place after she was sadly killed, has broken down in the Commons.
Giving a speech calling for people to get past leave and remain Ms Brabin says the people have spoken and no matter how painful it is, the decision must now be accepted.
But she adds the Government have not been given a blank cheque and must be held to account.
Tory David TC Davies: End the division
The Conservative MP says now is the time for MPs to stop fighting to re-run the referendum and come together to deliver the will of the British people.
He is delivering an unusually upbeat speech compared to the majority of speakers so far and calls on members to come through the lobbies with the Government to deliver a brighter future for the country.
Labour's Lyn Brown stands to say she doesn't believe Mr Davies would have given up fighting for Brexit if he had lost the debate.
He replies that she has told him off enough times before to know that he would stand down and allow her to put him in his place if that had been the case.
Labour MP: My values won't let me back Article 50
"The Labour whip says to trigger, but my Labour values ... say something else", Mary Creagh tells the Commons.
She is another MP voting against triggering Article 50. Some reports suggest there could be as many as 100 Labour rebels who will do so later this evening.
Stella Creasy: We need to block this vote and go back to the drawing board
Labour MP Stella Creasy says she can't back Article 50 because it will give Theresa May the freedom to negotiate Brexit in any way she likes without enough say for the people who voted in the referendum.
She calls for MPs to block the formal mechanism and instead go back to the drawing board.
Ms Creasy is the latest in a line of Labour MPs who have vowed to ignore leader Jeremy Corbyn on the issue.
MP gives way ... to his father in law
A moment of light relief in the fairly heavy-going Brexit debate as Conservative MP James Cartlidge gives way to Sir Gerald Howarth, his father in law, allowing him to speak.
Cartlidge makes a joke about his wife being her father's daughter when it comes to her views on Brexit - he is a staunch pro-leaver.
Labour MP: We need a national convention to decide Brexit process
Seema Malhotra says she will back Article 50 but won't judge her colleagues who have decided not to do so.
The Labour MP says her vote does not give the Government a blank cheque and calls for more information on how the negotiations will pan out.
There should be a national convention, she adds, to help decide the country's exit.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: New deal must be in interests of whole country
The Tory MP says ministers have a duty to get the best deal for the whole of the UK no matter how people voted.
He rejects the notion that he cannot represent his constituents who didn't vote to leave because he is voting to trigger Article 50.
'Northern voters feel they have not had enough of a say'
Alison McGovern, a Labour MP, has said she believes that many voted for Brexit because they feel left out.
“Economic division in our country is both the cause and will be the consequence of Brexit", she says.
"People in the North feel they have not had enough of a say for too long and they voted to leave as a result of it. The answer must be to redress that power imbalance.”
#BrexitBill Labour MP @Alison_McGovern: economic division is "the cause and consequence" of Brexit
— Mauro Galluzzo (@maurogalluzzo) February 1, 2017
How a Bill is made into UK law
No 10: The former Chancellor speaks for himself
George Osborne, the former Chancellor, has accused Theresa May of not protecting the economy ahead of Brexit.
He said: "The Government has chosen – and I respect this decision – not to make the economy the priority. They’ve prioritised immigration control."
Downing Street have responded and said the "former Chancellor speaks for himself."
Ukip files official complaint against MEP
Ukip files an official complaint after Labour MEP @SebDance trolls Nigel Farage. https://t.co/0diK9VLyrD pic.twitter.com/3katjDXqIg
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) February 1, 2017
'Now is not the time to leave our European family'
Daniel Zeichner, a shadow transport minister, has spoke out against the Bill.
He stresses the important role the EU has played in helping to maintain peace across the continent since the end of World War II.
His own father fled to Britain as a refugee from Nazi Germany, he says.
"Now is not the time to leave our European family."
Mr Zeichner has said that he expects to be sacked by the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
'I will not give PM a free ride'
Vernon Coaker, a former Labour frontbencher, has vowed not to give the Government a "free ride". But he says he will vote for the Bill.
“It’s our responsibility to show how divisions can be healed. We need to speak not only of process but what sort of country we want the UK to be", he tells the Chamber.
'I am speaking on behalf of a minority of my constituents'
Chris Bryant, a Labour MP, says he will vote against the Bill despite his Rhondda constituency backing Leave.
“Today I’m afraid I’m voting and speaking on behalf of a minority of my constituents", he admits.
Lab's Chris Bryant says he will be 'speaking in favour of a minority of my constituents' as he confirms he will vote against Brexit
— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) February 1, 2017
Labour chaos as another senior MP rebels
Kevin Brennan, a Labour frontbencher, reveals he is the latest member of Jeremy Corbyn's top team to defy the three-line whip.
Labour frontbencher @KevinBrennanMP has told @HouseofCommons he will vote against 2nd reading of the Bill to trigger Article 50 tonight.
— David Cornock (@davidcornock) February 1, 2017
Madeline Moon, another Welsh Labour MP, also confirms she will be voting against the Bill.
'I respect the ballot box'
Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP, says he will be voting for tonight's Bill because he "respects the ballot box."
They must take note of what this House says because what this referendum has been about – above all else – has been democracy..
It may not have been the result that I voted for but I am a democrat and above all I respect the ballot box.
An MEP hits out at Farage
Nigel Farage was speaking in praise of Donald Trump and the travel ban in the European Parliament when a Labour MEP held a rude sign behind him.
Seb Dance, a Labour MEP for London, held up the piece of paper on which he had written "he's lying to you".
After this, a man in white tie walked up to the MEP, and appeared to give him a dressing-down.
Nigel Farage praising @realDonaldTrump in the European Parliament. Obviously a big fan behind him. pic.twitter.com/K7jJSbKxY6
— Sean Clare (@Sean__Clare) February 1, 2017
MP accuses Labour of 'colluding' with Tories
Jim Dowd, a Labour MP, has accused his own Party leadership of colluding with the Tories to get the Bill through Parliament.
“I will not be complicit in something I know and feel to be wrong", he says.
“I fear a lot of Members tonight will vote for something they know is not right because it’s expedient to do so. I shall not join those ranks.
"I will not be complicit in undermining the position of the British people.”
At 7pm MPs will vote. First vote will be on an SNP amendment which declines to give #brexitbill a second reading. pic.twitter.com/zUsluFoF2A
— PARLY (@ParlyApp) February 1, 2017
'If I vote for this bill- I am abandoning my responsibilities'
Tulip Siddiq, who resigned from Labour's frontbench last week so she could rebel vote against the Article 50 bill, delivers a powerful speech in the Commons.
I will vote against triggering Article 50 tonight. Here's my speech to the house on why: https://t.co/POPsAqfn0x #BrexitBill pic.twitter.com/nqGPGkeYWk
— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) February 1, 2017
She tells MPs:
The reason why I’m taking the stand I’m taking is because In Hampstead and Kilburn, we do not wince when we hear people speaking in a different language on public transport; we do not blame the very real pressures on our health system, on our criminal justice system and on our housing by scapegoating others just because they do not look like us and they do not sound like us; in Hampstead and Kilburn we do not indulge in baseless theories that our country is at breaking point; in Hampstead and Kilburn we celebrate these EU nationals.
They are as part of our fabric as anyone else and they have a right to be here as much as the successive generations that came before them.
If I vote for this bill today, I am abandoning my responsibilities to these EU nationals.
Shadow cabinet ministers whose offices still not confirming how they will vote on article 50: Rachael Maskell, Kate Osamor, Dawn Butler
— Rowena Mason (@rowenamason) February 1, 2017
Tory MP hits out at David Cameron
Nadine Dorries, a Tory MP, has hit out at reports that David Cameron attempted to remove Paul Dacre removed as the Daily Mail's editor.
She says: “It is with some dismay that I woke this morning to the news that the former Prime Minister had tried to skew and influence the outcome of the referendum by attempting to have the editor of the Daily Mail removed from his post.
“I say with a degree of shame that the leader of this party allegedly attempted to manipulate and distort the freedom of the press."
Nadine Dorries absolutely tearing into David Cameron for trying to get the editor of the Daily Mail sacked over the Referendum
— steve hawkes (@steve_hawkes) February 1, 2017
'Government full of bastards'
Neil Coyle, a Labour MP, has claimed the Tory government is "full of bastards".
The former prime minister John Major referred to the likes of the former secretary of state for work and pensions as bastards.
He could not have known that his party would become a whole government full of bastards who are absolutely causing economic damage for my constituents and for the whole country.
Labour's Neil Coyle: "John Major referred to the likes of IDS as 'bastards'. He couldn't have known they'd become a Govt full of bastards"
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) February 1, 2017
John Bercow, the Speaker of the House, ticks of the Labour MP for his language and he apologises.
He also hits out at his own Party leadership's handling of the Brexir debate.
At the risk of offending my own frontbench as well as the Government frontbench I say this: my members campaigned vigorously to remain in the EU and they deserve a frontbench position which is not to sign up to the Government’s position, the Government’s timetable and the Government curtailing debate. It is a disgrace.
'I swore at a mate in the tearoom and I’m sorry'
Alistair Burt, a former Tory minister, says he is "not giving up fighting" ans suggests he may back some of the amendments to the Bill.
“One or two amendments might help the Government in keeping and retaining parliamentary support,” he says.
On Brexit, he says: “It is way more complicated than some of our colleagues want to believe – and not all the consequences will be beneficial.”
He also reveals that during the divisive referendum campaign- “I swore at a mate in the tearoom and I’m sorry.”
Thatcher would 'rejoice'
Sir Gerald Howarth, a eurosceptic Tory , asks the Commons what would Margaret Thatcher think of today's Article 50 Bill.
“I have no doubt that if she were with us today, her response to that bill would be: rejoice!”he exclaims.
He also points out that there are only three MPs in today's Commons who voted against 1986 Single European Act - himself and Jeremy Corbyn.
Gerald Howarth looks back on 30 years of rejecting EU. "I'm one of three opponents of Single European Act left here with Skinner and Corbyn"
— Patrick Kidd (@patrick_kidd) February 1, 2017
'Democracy means not giving up your beliefs'
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, calls for a second referendum.
He says:“Democracy means accepting the will of the people – at the beginning of the process and at the end. Democracy means respecting the majority and democracy means not giving up your beliefs when the going gets tough.”
Tim Farron accuses Neil Coyle of "speaking the language of Nigel Farage"
— Esther Webber (@estwebber) February 1, 2017
Neil Coyle: "How dare you?" pic.twitter.com/9vciddERUT
'I hope that all that is great about Britain is not sacrificed'
Caroline Spelman, the Tory MP, says that Brexit may not result in the cuts to immigration that people expect.
She also questions what kind of country post-Brexit Britain would like to be.
“Maybe it is to places like Scandinavia we need to look for better models of wage equality and fairness in society. These are the big questions left when we leave the European Union", she says.
“I hope that all that is great about Britain is not sacrificed on an unrealistic ambition to go back to some mythical time when we were in control of all we surveyed.”
Meriden MP Caroline Spelman (Con), a 'remain' supporter, says immigration dominated conversations she had with voters during referendum
— Jonathan Walker (@jonwalker121) February 1, 2017
Meriden MP Caroline Spelman (Con) says she is worried some people now expect migration to be drastically cut
— Jonathan Walker (@jonwalker121) February 1, 2017
The Government is prioritising immigration control
Brexit Bill 'unacceptable'
Lord Lamont told BBC Radio 4's World at One he believes a £50 million Brexit divorce Bill would be "unacceptable."
"Britain contributes about £18-20bn bill each year, I think that is very much in the upper end of estimates. Ultimately I think this will come down to politics.”
'EU is ultimately flexible'
John Whittingdale, the former Tory Culture Secretary, has said the EU is "ultimately flexible" and will want to protect their business interests.
He says: “The reaction of other member states seems to have been more to seek to punish Britain than to ask the question why. The European Union is a flawed project.”
'A full English Brexit'
Alex Salmond warns that the Scottish Government would be prepared to call for a second independence referendum if there is not a a “frictionless” border between rest of the UK and Scotland inside the single market.
“If that’s not to happen and if this House says ‘we’re going to go ahead with hard Tory Brexit’ or a full English Brexit... If that is the criteria and attitude of government, if that is what this PM wants to do with Scotland, if she is determined to throw down that gauntlet she can be absolutely sure that Nicola Sturgeon as first minister will pick it up.”
Ed Miliband will vote for Bill
The former Labour leader has revealed he will be backing the Government's Bill this evening.
He tells MPs:
I said I would accept the result and I do and that is why I will be voting for the Second Reading tonight.
We do not want to give the sense that people who voted for Brexit because they felt they had been ignored are being ignored once again.
History will judge us not just on the decisions we make on this bill tonight but beyond.
Ed Miliband says he will vote in favour of article 50 at second reading because he does not want to fuel sense of distrust in politics
— Rowena Mason (@rowenamason) February 1, 2017
Labour will not 'block' Article 50
Downing Street have said the White Paper would "reflect the Government's plan for Brexit as the PM set out in her speech on our negotiating objectives".
Labour leader Mr Corbyn will decide later on how to respond to any rebellion among junior frontbenchers over Article 50, but has already said that shadow cabinet members who vote against the whip cannot remain in his top team.
A source said: "Any discipline issues relating to debates and the whipping will be dealt with later."
Labour has not yet decided whether there will be a three-line whip on the third reading of the Bill, with the Opposition waiting to see what amendments are made to the legislation.
But the source insisted that Labour would not "block or frustrate" the triggering of Article 50.
Osborne hits out at Theresa May
George Osborne, the former Chancellor, has accused Theresa May of not protecting the economy ahead of Brexit.
He says: "The Government has chosen – and I respect this decision – not to make the economy the priority. They’ve prioritised immigration control."
And he confirms he will vote for the Bill tonight because he "lost" the referendum argument.
George Osborne: I lost case during EU referendum. I lost my position in Govt. You have to accept that the majority has spoken #brexitbill
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) February 1, 2017
“I sacrificed my position in government for it. We have to accept that in a democracy the people have spoken,” he says.
He also warns it would "provoke a deep constitutional crisis" for MPs to vote against the Brexit Bill tonight.
"There was a mandate to leave the European Union but that was the only question that was asked of the British people in that referendum and I don’t think we can assume that there were a set of answers from the British public to the questions we now face as a parliament," he says. "Those questions are now entrusted to us."
Osborne: bitter rows ahead about free trade; agriculture; migration; bailing out firms; "I will be in those fights in a couple of years".
— Heather Stewart (@GuardianHeather) February 1, 2017
Mr Osborne says the remaining 27 members of the EU "are not interested in a long and complex hybrid agreement with the UK."
He says there will be issues "that divide Conservatives from each other" on free trade and immigration.
"I will be in those fights", he says.
George Osborne: The Government has chosen not to make the economy a priority in this negotiation. Neither is EU #brexitbill
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) February 1, 2017
'PM was ready for Corbyn'
Jeremy Corbyn came out swinging over the issue of Donald Trump and his refugee travel ban, but Theresa May was ready for him, writes Asa Bennett.
She was able to distance herself from the "divisive and wrong" policy and had a example of how she was already influencing the President to trumpet - his "100 per cent" commitment to Nato.
Preparation ensured Mrs May could swat Mr Corbyn away at PMQs, although she struggled to explain why she hadn't spoken out sooner. The Prime Minister couldn't say why she refused three times to condemn the ban on the day it was announced, but resorted to pointing out what she now felt - days later - about it.
Mrs May's cautious approach pays off at moments like PMQs, when she can make sure to turn up with the most cutting answers and one-liners ready.
But it means that events she hadn't anticipated, like President Trump's ban, can leave her on the backfoot.
What a woman wears is a woman's choice
"What a woman wears is a woman's choice" - Theresa May at #PMQs, when asked about the hijab pic.twitter.com/IOlsBLM3Jx
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 1, 2017
Nuclear development on track
John Woodcock, a Labour MP, asks the PM about the Moorside nuclear development.
Theresa May assures him: "In relation to a number of deals and potential deals. Both I and the Business Secretary are involved in these and are very keen to ensure these jobs are brought to the UK and these deals are on track".
'Do you trust the people? '
Theresa May has repeated David Davis's line on tonight's vote and says its about whether or not MPs trust the British public.
Peter Bone, the eurosceptic Tory MP, has hit out at the Lib Dems for not staying to the end of yesterday’s Bill debate.
The PM responds: "Throughout my political career I've fought Liberal Democrats and nothing that the Liberal Democrats do ever surprises me, but I will join my Honourable Friend in commending the bill before the House.
"[The British people] made their choice, they want to leave the EU, the question every member must ask themselves as they go through the lobbies tonight is 'do they trust the people?"
May calls on Corbyn to condemn ban on Isrealis
Theresa Villiers, a former Tory Minister, says its hypocritical that there is little outrage over the fact that a number of countries whose citizens are banned by Donald Trump do not permit Israelis to enter their own countries.
The PM says:
It is absolutely right that this House should be aware of the discrimination and the ban that exists around the world particularly for those that are Israeli citizens.
I wait for the day when the Right Hon Gentleman opposite stands up and condemns it too.
Brexit white paper published tomorrow
The Government's promised white paper setting out its strategy for withdrawal from the European Union will be published on Thursday, Theresa May announces.
Maria Miller, the Conservative MP, says she wants to hear about the rights of EU nationals living in the UK. She asks if there will be more information in the Government's white paper.
The PM replies: "I can inform my Right Hon Friend and the House that that White Paper will be published tomorrow."
May challenged on Irish border
Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, asks how Theresa May will keep an open border with the Republic of Ireland.
May replies:
These are absolutely the outcomes that we want to see, I was very pleased to meet with the Taoiseach and discuss the joint intent to ensure we don't see a return to the borders of the past.
We focused on the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, of course the issue of movements from Ireland affects ports in Wales and, of course, Stranraer.
We have agreed the work we;'re going to do to deliver what I believe will be as frictionless as possible a border.
Theresa May on Trump's travel ban
He can lead a protest, I'm leading a country.
The Labour leader demands that Donald Trump's state visit is cancelled.
“He’s praised the use of torture; he’s incited hatred against Muslims; he’s directly attacked women’s rights.", blasts Corbyn.
"What more does President Trump have to do before the PM will listen to the 1.8m people who have already called for his state visit invitation to be withdrawn?”
May attacks Corbyn over Trump -- "He can lead a protest, I'm leading a country." #PMQs
— Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) February 1, 2017
The Prime Minister hits back:
The Right Honourable Gentleman's foreign policy is to object to and insult the democratically elected head of state of our most important ally. Let's just see what he would have achieved. Would he have been able to protect British citizens from the impact of the executive order? No!
Would he have been able to lay the foundation of the trade deal?No! Would he have got a 100 per cent commitment to Nato? No!"
He can lead a protest, I'm leading a country.
'Why she didn't speak out?'
Corbyn says it is the responsibility of "all of us to" defend the 1951 refugee convention which commits this country, the US and 142 others to accept refugees without regard to their race, religion or country of origin.
He accuses President Trump of breaching this convention and asks why she didn't "speak out?”
The PM replies:"I've made absolutely clear what the Government's view on this policy is, secondly as I've just said this government has a proud record and this country has a proud record of how it welcomes refugees."
May challenged on Trump
Corbyn raises the Trump debate and asks: “At last week’s PMQs, the PM told the House 'I’m not afraid to speak frankly to the President of the United States.' What happened?”
Theresa May says "we wouldn't do it" when pressed about Donald Trump's ban on refugees and citizens of other countries.
May carefully words Trump ban answer. Doesn't rule out discussing travel restrictions in White House. #PMQs
— Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) February 1, 2017
Asked if she was told about the policy when she was in the states. She says she did not know about the refugee ban or that it would affect British citizens but that everyone was aware he planned to ban muslims because he said he would during the election.
She says: "If he's asking me whether I had advanced notice of the ban on refugees, if he's asking me if I had advanced notice of whether the order could affect British citizens, the answer is no, if he's asking if I had advanced notice of travel restrictions, the answer is we all did because President Trump said he would do this in his election campaign."
Corbyn continues to press the Prime Minister on the issue but May has been well prepared for this line of questioning, she is defiant and firm.
Theresa May cites Trump's "100% commitment to NATO" as a reason her US trip was successful. Let's see if the president maintains it #PMQs
— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) February 1, 2017
'The importance of being awkward'
Jeremy Corbyn recommends Theresa May reads Tam Dalyell's autobiography,- "The importance of being awkward".
She replies: "I wasn't aware of the book he's referred to by Tam Dalyell, but I suspect given the number of resignations he's had from his front bench that some of his colleagues have indeed read that book."
May opens PMQs
Theresa May kicks off PMQs by paying her respects to the victims of the terror attack in Canada earlier this week.
She also makes a tribute to the former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, who died last week.
The PM says: "He was an outstanding parliamentarian and I'm sure all our thoughts are with his friends and family".
Theresa May opens #PMQs by paying tribute to the victims of the Quebec attack
— kateferguson (@kateferguson4) February 1, 2017
Remainers should stay out of debate
If Remainers don't know what they want out of Brexit, they might as well not turn up to the debate, writes Asa Bennett.
The Remainers' disparate views on what Brexit should mean limits how much they can bring to the debate. Eurosceptics like Bill Cash love to mock them as "Remoaners" - and until they settle on a vision, that label will stick.
The referendum result surprised many Parliamentarians, as 69 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they expected Britain to vote to stay in the EU. Fewer than one in four (22 per cent) thought that Leave would win.
Remainers should have been humbled by this, rather than deciding to wallow in misery. Brexiteer MPs are fully engaged in the debate and pushing for what they want out of Britain's departure. If pro-EU MPs think that the best scrutiny they can provide is to waffle and carp from the sidelines, they might as well not turn up to the chamber.
IDS and Labour MP battle it out over Brexit on live TV
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and anti-Brexit Labour MP Peter Kyle get into a heated discussion on Good Morning Britain.
Sir Ivan: Trump will struggle to trade with EU
EU doesn't believe PM will walk away without deal
Sir Ivan says adds that senior figures in Brussels do not believe Theresa May would walk away from the table without a deal because the realities of that would be "so unpalatable."
He says the Government will have to look at the "real world consequences" of leaving without a deal.
'You have to look at real world consequences' of leaving without a deal says Rogers
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 1, 2017
Former UK amb to EU Sir Ivan Rogers: if you walk away (with no trade deal) you have to be clear you are living for many years in a WTO world
— Olly Barratt (@ollybarratt) February 1, 2017
'Britain will be a quick and nimble negotiator'
EU expects UK to pay 40-60 billion for Brexit
Sir Ivan says the European Commission genuinely expects a figure "of the order of 40-60billion euros" for leaving the EU.
He says senior figures have said Brexit has "exploded a bomb under the multi-annual financial framework" and left a "big hole" in the EU budget.
The bill would most likely include the UK’s share of outstanding pensions liabilities, loan guarantees and spending on UK-based projects.
Free trade deal 'most complex ever'
Sir Ivan says he has no doubt that the UK will be able to get trade deals with non-EU countries after Brexit faster than the EU would do.
But he says the advantage of being in EU is not speed and nimbleness, it's the size of the market.
Sir Ivan Rogers says Brexit Britain will be able to conclude trade deals far more quickly than EU - but questions negotiating muscle
— steve hawkes (@steve_hawkes) February 1, 2017
He says that "The first argument will be between the UK and the EU 27 about what are we actually negotiating about".
Adding that a free trade deal with the EU would be the"most complex free trade deal ever".
Ivan Rogers says he's constantly been arguing for transitional deal. Says EU still insisting it wants divorce first, alimony/access later
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) February 1, 2017
Sir Ivan tells MPs:
"One of the key cases for leaving is the nimbleness and agility we would have (when) not a member state, on our own, to negotiate at speed with only our own priorities on the table.
"I have no doubt that we will negotiate FTAs (free trade agrements) with other partners outside the EU faster than the EU can do it. No doubt at all.
"The question is then the negotiating heft you have at the table in comparison with being part of a wider bloc. The advantage of being in the EU is not speed or nimbleness .... it is the size of the market. Why are the Canadians or South Koreans or others interested in the EU market? It's the size and scale."
'I have never leaked'
Sir Ivan denies reports that he personally warned that EU negotiations would take a decade, but that he was passing on the "senior beltway wisdom'" of Brussels.
He insists that EU figures believe they will not be able to agree a trade deal before 2020.
Sir Ivan Rogers says he passed on his #Brexit memo to a few key offices in Whitehall - clearly directing blame for leak on them
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) February 1, 2017
The former diplomat says he does not know how memo warning Brussels thought the deal would take until mid-2020s became public before it "exploded", adding that he "never leaks" anything from any government.
He says: "I can categorically deny that I leaked memo. I played no part in relaying that information."
EU negotiations will be on 'humongous' scale
Sir Ivan Rogers, the former EU ambassador, is appearing before MPs on Commons European scrutiny committee.
He says that EU negotiations will be on 'humongous' scale not experienced since the second world war.
Sir Ivan warns that the egotiations to leave the European Union are likely to descend into "name-calling" and "fist-fighting" before any agreement can be found
"We are going to have enormous amounts of business running up various different channels and then involve difficult trade-offs for Her Majesty's Government and difficult trade-offs for the other 27 on the other side of the table", he says.
"Obviously, I would expect us and the 27 to be coming at this from very different angles and with very different objectives, but negotiations ultimately only culminate in deals if there is a determination on both sides of the table to make progress.
"That involves generating a momentum and generating an atmosphere so that even when we get into name-calling and an extremely feisty atmosphere - and we undoubtedly will in both exit negotiations and future trade and economic negotiations - there is still an atmosphere to proceed and finalise agreement."
Sir Ivan says that member states negotiating positions will leak as Brussels is a "very leaky place".
Labour must respect Brexit vote
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, has said Labour had to respect the Brexit vote.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four's Today programme this morning, she said: "We want the best deal, and if Theresa May loses face because she's got the wrong deal that doesn't have the support of Parliament, tough.
"We want to have regular reports so that she can gauge the opinion of the House, so that she brings the House with her, so that she brings the country with her, so actually she has a stronger hand.
"We will be doing everything we can to ensure that we get these amendments because the Prime Minister does not have a democratic mandate to do whatever she likes with our country."
Sir Ivan Rogers to appear before MPs
Sir Ivan Rogers, who quit as Britain’s ambassador to the EU last month, is appearing before the Commons European scrutiny committee this morning.
He announced his resignation after it was made clear Theresa May and her senior team had “lost confidence” in him over his “pessimistic” view of Brexit.
Government sources made clear that Sir Ivan had “jumped before he was pushed” and that Number 10 believed his negative view of Brexit meant that he could not lead the negotiations after the Prime Minister triggers Article 50.
In a 1,400-word resignation letter to his staff, Sir Ivan launched a thinly-veiled attack on the "muddled thinking" in Mrs May's Government.
EU law will affect Britons after Brexit
European Union law will continue to affect Britons even after Brexit, a former attorney general has warned.
Dominic Grieve, a barrister and Conservative MP for Beaconsfield, says tens of thousands of acts, court verdicts and international standards bind UK citizens by virtue of Britain's EU membership.
In an article in a legal magazine, he says that Brexit presents a Gordian knot.
"The best estimate is that there are now at least 40,000 legal acts, 15,000 court verdicts and 62,000 international standards binding on us by virtue of EU membership," he writes in Counsel.
"It affects private rights such as intellectual property and data protection ... Then there are all those other areas ... that confer rights on us as EU citizens, in areas such as freedom of movement and of capital and rights of establishment, voting rights for the EU Parliament, anti-discrimination laws, competition law and human rights.
"It has to be for Parliament to consider such issues and question the Government on its strategy as to how these rights and obligations will be preserved, altered or unravelled."
He said the referendum vote had triggered a task "fraught with legal complexity".
Parliament to vote on Brexit Bill
Good Morning,
MPs will vote later today on whether to give Theresa May the power to get Brexit negotiations under way.
Last night Michael Gove accused Pro-European Union MPs who claim they want more details about Brexit of seeking to “obfuscate, delay and dilute” the result of the referendum.
As many as 100 MPs – mainly from the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party – will tonight vote against a law to trigger the start of Britain’s exit from the EU. But the Bill is expected to pass.
Speaking yesterday David Davis, the Exiting the EU secretary, said MPs had to “honour our side of the agreement” after the referendum and trigger Article 50.
MPs had to “trust the people” who backed the Government to taken Britain out of the EU and vote decisively for the start of Brexit, he said.
Mr Davis began an historic two-hour debate in the House of Commons after the Government was forced to draw up legislation to trigger Article 50 after losing an appeal at the Supreme Court. The Bill is being rushed through Parliament in order to meet Mrs May’s aim to trigger Article 50 by March 9.
He said: “The eyes of the nation are on this chamber as we consider this Bill. For many years, there has been a creeping sense in the country – and not just this country – that politicians say one thing, and do another.
“We voted to give the people the chance to determine our future in a referendum, now we must honour our side of the agreement: to vote to deliver on the result.”
Mr Gove, the former justice secretary who led the Vote Leave campaign, said it would be “harmful for our democracy” for MPs to reject June’s referendum result. MPs who called for a White Paper to set out the Government plans were “not seeking clarity, they are seeking obfuscation, delay and a dilution of the democratic mandate of the British people”.