On Thursday, MPs voted to delay Brexit beyond 29 March 2019. The vote comes after the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement was defeated for a second time on Tuesday and MPs voted to dismiss a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday.
The vote to delay Brexit was approved by 412 votes to 202 and means that Theresa May will ask for an extension of Article 50, lasting at least three months. All 27 EU member states would have to approve the delay.
The Prime Minister told MPs that if they back a Brexit deal by Wednesday 20 March, the UK’s departure will only have to be delayed until 30 June 2019. However, a much longer delay to Brexit could be requested if MPs snub her deal for a third time.
In other votes on Thursday, the government narrowly defeated an amendment which would have given MPs the authority to control what should happen next if Theresa May was unsuccessful in getting her deal through.
MPs also vetoed an amendment tabled by the Sarah Wollaston, an Independent Group MP, who asked for Brexit to be delayed in order to hold another public referendum. It was overwhelmingly defeated by 334 votes to 85.
Victoria Holland, corporate and commercial partner, who heads up B P Collins’ Brexit team said:
“With so much uncertainty still remaining around whether the UK will leave the EU with an agreement, businesses may still be prudent to prepare for a no deal Brexit.
“B P Collins can help with your Brexit planning, from advising as to how to help retain your EU workforce to assisting with new terms and conditions of business, so please do get in touch.”
For further advice and support, please contact B P Collins Brexit team on 01753 889995 or email brexit@bpcollins.co.uk.
