Tom Goodenough Tom Goodenough

Will Theresa May’s Article 50 plan emerge unscathed from its final Commons test today?

After two days of testing Commons debates, Theresa May’s Brexit timetable remains on track. Yesterday’s ‘concession’ – or non-concession, depending on how you look at it – by ministers did enough to limit the extent of the Tory rebellion (only seven Conservative MPs went against the Government, despite earlier reports that as many as 20 backbenchers were considering doing so). This meant the Government’s Article 50 bill emerged unscathed. Of course all that could change this afternoon.

Today’s debate will be the last opportunity for MPs hoping to tinker with the bill which will kick start Brexit. In the spirit of this week’s mammoth sessions, it’ll be another long debate, starting at 1.30pm, with a final vote expected at around 8.30pm. Even after today, peers will still get the opportunity to try and insert clauses here and there into the Article 50 bill. Yet it’s almost certain that any such attempt will be knocked down by MPs when it’s batted back to the Commons. So this afternoon’s debate is the final real hurdle for the Government to overcome.

The biggest test will, undoubtedly, be on the controversial issue of the status of EU nationals after Brexit. Many have called for the PM to guarantee their rights to stay put in Britain. Theresa May, though, has been reluctant to relinquish something of a bargaining chip in negotiations. It’s true that the PM has done her best to placate Tory MPs angry about this approach. She told the Commons this week that: ‘EU citizens living in the UK make a vital contribution to our society and economy’. The Home Secretary, too, has also made an intervention: writing a letter confirming EU nationals living in the UK would not be affected. Whether this is enough to convince wavering Tories to stay on board the Brexit train remains to be seen.

Before the Prime Minister – and Tory whips – start patting themselves on the back and hailing a good week, there are other amendments to brush aside.

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