Britain’s “meaningful vote” timeline

An amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill gave MPs a “meaningful vote” which stops government implementation of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal – agreed with Brussels – without Parliamentary approval


Dec 11, 2018: Following three days of debate in House of Commons, Theresa May (left) postpones meaningful vote due to lack of support in parliament

Jan 15, 2019, First meaningful vote: MPs reject vote by record-breaking 230 votes

In favour 	Against
202 		432
Rebels: 118 out of 317 Conservative MPs vote against deal

Jan 30: Parliament votes by 317 to 301 to send May back to Brussels to renegotiate Northern Ireland issue of hard customs border

Feb 20: May fails to secure further legal assurances over Irish border in meeting with EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (right)

Mar 12, Second meaningful vote: MPs reject May’s Brexit deal by crushing 149 votes

In favour 	Against
242 		391
Rebels: 75 Conservatives vote against deal

Mar 27, indicative votes: Eight alternatives fail to show majority support 
Customs Union: Proposal by Kenneth Clarke (inset) fails by just six votes. Option limits trade deals in goods with nations outside EU, but does not include trade deals in services – biggest part (70%) of UK economy

Mar 29, Third meaningful vote: MPs reject deal by 58 votes

In favour 	Against
286 		344
Rebels: 34 Conservatives vote against deal

Apr 1, indicative votes: Vote to break deadlock fails with proposal to keep Britain in a customs union defeated by three votes


Sources: Institute for Government, Reuters 
Pictures: Getty Images
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