Brexit white paper set to reveal Government's plan for leaving EU

Tom Powell2 February 2017
WEST END FINAL

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Theresa May’s Brexit plan will be laid bare for the first time when the Government publishes its white paper later.

MPs are set to spend the day poring over the bill after backing it by 498 to 114 in a vote on Wednesday night.

The white paper, which sets out the Government’s strategy for triggering Article 50 and beginning the process of leaving the EU, will face major scrutiny before it becomes law.

Hundreds of amendments have already been tabled for next week’s House of Commons’ debate, with Labour vowing to force through safeguards.

Downing Street said the white paper would "reflect the Government's plan for Brexit as the PM set out in her speech on our negotiating objectives".

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill is expected to complete its passage through the Lords by Tuesday March 7 but if peers have made amendments, it will return to the Commons, where MPs will debate whether to keep the changes or get rid of them.

In Wednesday night’s vote, a majority of 384 MPs voted in favour of the bill. However, Jeremy Corbyn was unable to contain a revolt on his frontbench that saw two shadow cabinet ministers quit and 47 MPs vote against it.

Shadow environment secretary and York Central MP Rachael Maskell and shadow equalities minister and Brent Central MP Dawn Butler both defied a three-line whip so they could vote in line with their heavily Remain-backing constituencies.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke was the only Conservative to vote against the legislation.

The Prime Minister will be conscious that splits within her own party could emerge next week, with Tory MPs said to be ready to back attempts to secure EU nationals' rights if they are already in the UK.

Labour amendments to guarantee EU nationals' rights, to secure a "meaningful" parliamentary vote on the final deal, to lock-in single market access, and to make ministers report back to Parliament during the negotiation could also find cross-party support.

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