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  World   Europe  14 Dec 2017  Theresa May loses EU withdrawal bill amid party rebellion

Theresa May loses EU withdrawal bill amid party rebellion

PTI
Published : Dec 14, 2017, 1:13 pm IST
Updated : Dec 14, 2017, 1:58 pm IST

Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

Theresa May had warned that such a rebellion could threaten the UK’s 'orderly and smooth exit' from the European Union. (Photo: File)
 Theresa May had warned that such a rebellion could threaten the UK’s 'orderly and smooth exit' from the European Union. (Photo: File)

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May has lost a crucial Brexit vote in the UK Parliament after a rebellion within the ranks of her own party.

The British Prime Minister was defeated on an amendment to the European Union Withdrawal Bill by four votes, in her first major House of Commons bruising on Wednesday.

MPs from across different parties voted in favour of Parliament being given a meaningful vote on the terms of Brexit by 309 votes to 305.

Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is intended to formally end Britain's membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books.

It also gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches.

The government remained defiant following the defeat.

"We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out.

We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, is essential," a UK government spokesperson said.

"This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose," the spokesperson added.

Tags: eu withdrawal bill, theresa may, brexit, european union
Location: United Kingdom, England, London