Government suffers second Lords defeat over calls for '˜meaningful vote' on final deal with EU

The motion, which also requires Parliament to approve any attempt to leave the EU without a new arrangement, was passed by 366 votes to 268.

MPs are now being urged to uphold the amendment when the Bill returns to the Commons next week. But ministers maintain that the changes will tie the Government’s hands in negotiations, potentially incentivising the EU to offer the UK a bad deal.

This evening’s amendment marks the second defeat for the Government over legislation to trigger Article 50, following last week’s vote on a motion to guarantee the rights of EU citizens.

Earlier in the day, a Lib Dem-led amendment calling for a second vote on the final deal was defeated by 336 votes to 131, prompting Lib Dem peers to annouce they will oppose the Bill at third reading.

Responding to the result, the party’s leader in the Lords, Dick Newby claimed the Government had “confirmed that the Brexit deal will be finalised behind closed doors in Westminster”.

“This is not democracy, and that is why [we] cannot support this Bill,” he said.

A total of 13 Conservative peers joined Labour, Lib Dems and cross-bench members to back the amendment, with the former Cabinet Minister Lord Heseltine and the former Yorkshire MEP Baroness McIntosh among the rebels.

Ministers have already stated that Parliament will have a say on the final deal with the EU once negotiations are complete. However, it is understood this would equate to a “take it or leave it” vote, with a no vote causing the UK to “crash-out” of the EU and revert to WTO rules.

The Lords amendment meanwhile would require ministers to seek Parliament’s approval both on the final deal and any decision to leave the EU without one.

It would also require a Parliamentary votes on the “divorce” arrangements with the union, stressing that this must take place “before the European Parliament debates and votes on that agreement”.

Arguing against the motion, Brexit minister Lord Bridges claimed it would weaken the Government’s hand at the negotiating table incentivise the EU to offer a bad deal.

He also suggested it was unclear what would happen if the deal was not good enough, but Parliament “says no to walking away”.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has expressed “disappointment” at the development, accusing peers of trying to “frustrate” the Brexit process.

But the Lib Dem MP Nick Clegg welcomed the result, and urged MPs “of all parties” to back it when the Bill comes back before the Commons.