Dear Richard
Anne has asked me to send you the text below following yesterday's events in the House of Commons.
Thank you again for contacting Anne about Brexit, she will update you again soon.
Very best wishes,
Joe
I want to update you on the situation in Parliament.
Many of you will be aware, although the Government had said it would allow indicative votes, yesterday’s business was run by backbench MPs. There was never any expectation that a majority would be found for any one option at this stage. Although 16 options were tabled in total, the Speaker selected 8 for votes.
I and other Ministers and colleagues had pressed the Prime Minister on Tuesday to make sure that these were ‘free votes’, which means that MPs are not told which options to support by their party Whips. The Cabinet did not participate in the votes. The results were as follows:
• Amendment B - No Deal [Ayes: 160 Noes: 400]
• Amendment D - Common market 2.0 [Ayes:188 Noes: 283]
• Amendment H - EFTA and EEA [Ayes: 65 Noes: 377]
• Amendment J - Customs union [Ayes: 264 Noes: 272]
• Amendment K – Labour’s Alternative Arrangements [Ayes: 237 Noes: 307]
• Amendment L – Revocation of Article 50 Revocation [Ayes: 184 Noes: 293]
• Amendment M – Confirmatory public vote on deal [Ayes: 268 Noes: 295]
• Amendment O – Contingent preferential arrangements [Ayes: 139 Noes: 422]
The aim of this first day of indicative votes was to find where a consensus might lie. This was the first step in this process which will continue on Monday. I continue to believe that the Withdrawal Agreement, a consequence of 2 years of difficult negotiations and compromise, is the best way forward to minimise disruption as we leave the EU. However, last night showed alternative support from MPs for both a customs union arrangement (J), put forward by the Rt Hon Ken Clarke MP, and for a confirmatory vote on an agreed deal (M), put forward by Dame Margaret Beckett MP. I voted against Amendment K (Labour’s arrangements), Amendment B (No Deal) and Amendment O (a so-called ‘hard Brexit’), as I do not believe that any of these options are the best way forward. The aim was not necessarily to find what MPs favoured, but what they would contemplate, even if it was not their preferred option, in order to find a consensus to resolve the situation. I abstained on some options as I did not want to dismiss them at this stage.
These are unprecedented times in Parliament and I know from reading through the thousands of emails and other pieces of correspondence that I have received that there is a large amount of frustration in Guildford and across the country. Many people have contacted me about their support for a second referendum. However my reservations persist; a second referendum might be the only option if the House does not find a consensus to move forward, because it has been made clear on several occasions that leaving the EU without a deal is not acceptable to the majority of MPs
It is difficult to predict what might happen in the coming days. In my nearly 14 years as MP for Guildford I have never known a period of time like this. The emails I receive contain strongly worded views, and occasionally these are in terms that are personal and offensive. Although it is disappointing, I understand the strength of feeling on Brexit. I take note of everyone’s views and comments and my job is to absorb it all and try to find a solution which will attempt to satisfy the majority, and the needs of my constituency.
My best wishes,
Anne.
Anne has asked me to send you the text below following yesterday's events in the House of Commons.
Thank you again for contacting Anne about Brexit, she will update you again soon.
Very best wishes,
Joe
I want to update you on the situation in Parliament.
Many of you will be aware, although the Government had said it would allow indicative votes, yesterday’s business was run by backbench MPs. There was never any expectation that a majority would be found for any one option at this stage. Although 16 options were tabled in total, the Speaker selected 8 for votes.
I and other Ministers and colleagues had pressed the Prime Minister on Tuesday to make sure that these were ‘free votes’, which means that MPs are not told which options to support by their party Whips. The Cabinet did not participate in the votes. The results were as follows:
• Amendment B - No Deal [Ayes: 160 Noes: 400]
• Amendment D - Common market 2.0 [Ayes:188 Noes: 283]
• Amendment H - EFTA and EEA [Ayes: 65 Noes: 377]
• Amendment J - Customs union [Ayes: 264 Noes: 272]
• Amendment K – Labour’s Alternative Arrangements [Ayes: 237 Noes: 307]
• Amendment L – Revocation of Article 50 Revocation [Ayes: 184 Noes: 293]
• Amendment M – Confirmatory public vote on deal [Ayes: 268 Noes: 295]
• Amendment O – Contingent preferential arrangements [Ayes: 139 Noes: 422]
The aim of this first day of indicative votes was to find where a consensus might lie. This was the first step in this process which will continue on Monday. I continue to believe that the Withdrawal Agreement, a consequence of 2 years of difficult negotiations and compromise, is the best way forward to minimise disruption as we leave the EU. However, last night showed alternative support from MPs for both a customs union arrangement (J), put forward by the Rt Hon Ken Clarke MP, and for a confirmatory vote on an agreed deal (M), put forward by Dame Margaret Beckett MP. I voted against Amendment K (Labour’s arrangements), Amendment B (No Deal) and Amendment O (a so-called ‘hard Brexit’), as I do not believe that any of these options are the best way forward. The aim was not necessarily to find what MPs favoured, but what they would contemplate, even if it was not their preferred option, in order to find a consensus to resolve the situation. I abstained on some options as I did not want to dismiss them at this stage.
These are unprecedented times in Parliament and I know from reading through the thousands of emails and other pieces of correspondence that I have received that there is a large amount of frustration in Guildford and across the country. Many people have contacted me about their support for a second referendum. However my reservations persist; a second referendum might be the only option if the House does not find a consensus to move forward, because it has been made clear on several occasions that leaving the EU without a deal is not acceptable to the majority of MPs
It is difficult to predict what might happen in the coming days. In my nearly 14 years as MP for Guildford I have never known a period of time like this. The emails I receive contain strongly worded views, and occasionally these are in terms that are personal and offensive. Although it is disappointing, I understand the strength of feeling on Brexit. I take note of everyone’s views and comments and my job is to absorb it all and try to find a solution which will attempt to satisfy the majority, and the needs of my constituency.
My best wishes,
Anne.
Office
of The Rt Hon Anne Milton MP
Member
of Parliament for Guildford
Minister
of State for Apprenticeships and Skills
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