MPs debated the Government's plan for Brexit
7 December 2016 (updated on 7 December 2016)
MPs debated the Government's plan for Brexit in the House of Commons on Wednesday 7 December. The subject for debate was chosen by the Opposition.
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Keir Starmer, opened the debate for the Opposition.
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davies, moved amendment (a) on behalf of the Government.
Government amendment (a) was made on division (Division No. 102: Ayes 461, Noes 89).
The Motion as amended by the Government was then passed on division (Division No. 103: Ayes 448, Noes 75).
- Watch Parliament TV: Opposition debate on the Government's plan for Brexit
- Read Commons Hansard: The Government's plan for Brexit
- Read Commons Library hub page: Brexit: the next steps for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: European Union
- Read recent Parliament News stories: Exiting the European Union
Motion for debate
MPs agreed to the following Motion as amended by the Government:
That this House recognises that leaving the EU is the defining issue facing the UK; notes the resolution on parliamentary scrutiny of the UK leaving the EU agreed by the House on 12 October 2016; recognises that it is Parliament’s responsibility to properly scrutinise the Government while respecting the decision of the British people to leave the European Union; confirms that there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the European Union after Article 50 has been triggered; and calls on the Prime Minister to commit to publishing the Government’s plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked, consistently with the principles agreed without division by this House on 12 October; recognises that this House should respect the wishes of the United Kingdom as expressed in the referendum on 23 June; and further calls on the Government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017.
Related information
About Opposition day debates
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