The vote has no legal force, but it sends an important signal. The former Cabinet Minister didn’t move her amendment, but others did in any event.
The Prime Minister is also astute enough to get Gove to make the case for Meaningful Vote Three.
Only one of those selected this evening, that tabled in the name of Damian Green (“the Malthouse amendment”) does so.
That motions next week will be amendable opens up a can of worms for the Government – or rather a can of serpents.
Her motion is defeated. Will the EU now abandon her, and egg on Letwin and his supporters to try to take formal control of the negotiation?
Plus: My exclusive insight into that May Corbyn summit. Why does the BBC indulge Brok? And: Cooper trooper – not so super.
In the night’s only defeat for the Government, it passed by 318 votes to 310 – and with the largest rebellion from Conservative MPs.
If it passes, a signal will be sent that the Commons is likely to take control of Brexit policy – even if the Brady amendment also passes.
We also reproduce the full text of the letter itself.
It is doubtless bad manners to ask, on day two of his new job, what he will do next. But posing the question and trying to answer it is irresistible.
Lord Woolton (pictured right) was the greatest-ever, rebuilding the Conservatives after the war. But here are my favourite five.
The European Convention on Human Rights is critical to holding the UK together.