Brexit repeal bill: Labour fails to defeat Government’s EU Withdrawal Bill in 'deeply disappointing' late-night Commons vote

The Government’s Brexit repeal bill has passed its first Parliamentary test on a "deeply disappointing" night for the Labour Party.

MPs have voted to give the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill a second reading by 326 votes to 290, a majority of 36.

The Bill, which will end the supremacy of EU law in the UK, had been debated in the Commons with a vote taking place in the early hours of Tuesday.

Theresa May hailed the Parliamentary win as "historic" and said it allowed negotiations to move on with "solid foundations".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had earlier ordered MPs to vote against the legislation, which had been branded a “power grab” by ministers.

However senior backbenchers warned that opposing it would be seen by many constituents, particularly those who voted Leave, as Labour seeking to torpedo Brexit.

The Prime Minister had faced her own growing Brexit revolt as Tory MPs accused ministers of smuggling cuts in workplace rights under cover of the Withdrawal Bill.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said the Bill was a "naked power grab" by the Government.

"This is a deeply disappointing result," he said.

"This Bill is an affront to parliamentary democracy and a naked power grab by Government ministers. It leaves rights unprotected, it silences Parliament on key decisions and undermines the devolution settlement.

"It will make the Brexit process more uncertain, and lead to division and chaos when we need unity and clarity.

"Labour will seek to amend and remove the worst aspects from the Bill as it passes through Parliament. But the flaws are so fundamental it's hard to see how this Bill could ever be made fit for purpose."

Meanwhile Theresa May said the Government's victory on its flagship Brexit legislation backs the will of the British people and gives "certainty and clarity".

Mrs May said: "Earlier this morning Parliament took a historic decision to back the will of the British people and vote for a bill which gives certainty and clarity ahead of our withdrawal from the European Union.

"Although there is more to do, this decision means we can move on with negotiations with solid foundations and we continue to encourage MPs from all parts of the UK to work together in support of this vital piece of legislation."

Some Tories had called for extra time to be granted to allow MPs to assess flagship Brexit legislation line by line.

But MPs approved the timetable guaranteeing 64 hours of debate split across eight days at committee stage by a majority of 17 after Justice Secretary David Lidington said the Government is "willing to consider" giving more time to the next stages of the Bill if there is "good reason".

The Liberal Democrats described it as "a dark day for the mother of parliaments".

Tom Brake, Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, said Labour rebels had "walked hand in hand" with the Tories to give the Government extreme powers.

He said: "This Bill will hand the Government unprecedented new powers. MPs, especially those who campaigned to leave the EU on the basis of 'taking back control' for our parliament, should be ashamed.

"They have abdicated their responsibility to scrutinise legislation and relinquished parliamentary sovereignty to Theresa May's unrepresentative cabal.

"This is a dark day for the mother of parliaments. The Liberal Democrats will fight to amend the Bill in Committee to stop this affront to democracy.

"Labour rebels have handed the government sweeping anti-democratic powers. A significant number walked hand in hand with the Tories and have given the Government extreme powers not seen since the Middle Ages."

The EU Withdrawal Bill, previously called the Great Repeal Bill, will overturn the European Communities Act 1972 – which is the legislation underpinning Britain’s membership of the EU.