European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 — Seek to Delay Withdrawal Until 31 December 2019 if no Withdrawal Agreement by 26 February 2019 — 29 Jan 2019 at 19:00

The majority of MPs voted against seeking to delay the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union until 31 December 2019 if no withdrawal agreement is negotiated, and accepted by the House of Commons, by the 26th of February 2019. Technically the vote was on prioritising the consideration of a Bill containing the proposal.

At the time of the vote the date for withdrawal was 29 March 2019 at 23.00 as set by Section 20 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

MPs were considering a motion stating:

• That this House, in accordance with the provisions of section 13(6)(a) and 13(11)(b)(i) and 13(13)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, has considered the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018” and made on 21 January 2019, and the Written Statement titled “Statement under Section 13(11)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018”and made on 24 January 2019.

The amendment rejected in this vote was:

• Amendment (b), at end, add
• “and is conscious of the serious risks arising for the United Kingdom from exit without a withdrawal agreement and political declaration and orders accordingly that—
• (1) On 5 February 2019—
• (a) Standing Order No. 14(1) (which provides that government business shall have precedence at every sitting save as provided in that order) shall not apply;
• (b) a Business of the House Motion in connection with the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 3) Bill in the name of at least 10 Members, including at least four Members elected to the House as members of at least four different parties and at least two backers of that Bill shall stand as the first item of business;
• (c) that motion may be proceeded with until any hour though opposed, shall not be interrupted at the moment of interruption, and, if under discussion when business is postponed, under the provisions of any standing order, may be resumed, though opposed, after the interruption of business; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) will not apply;
• (d) at the conclusion of debate on that motion, the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on that motion (including for the purposes of Standing Order No. 36(2) (Questions to be put following closure of debate)) shall include the questions on any amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; and
• (e) the second reading of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 3) Bill shall stand as the first order of the day; and
• (2) In respect of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 3) Bill, notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time.

Clause 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 3) Bill began:

• (1) If, before 26 February 2019, the House of Commons has not passed a resolution approving the negotiated withdrawal agreement and the framework for the future relationship for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“the 2018 Act”), the Prime Minister must, not later than 26 February, move a motion in the House of Commons in the form set out in subsection (2).
• (2) The form of the motion for the purposes of subsection (1) is –
• “That this House directs the Prime Minister to seek an extension of the period of two years specified in Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union to a period ending on 31 December 2019.”

Debate in Parliament |