House of Lords have defeated the Government 9 times over Brexit

Photo of an EU flag flying in front of the Houses of Parliament in London. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire - Credit: PA

Peers have inflicted a whopping nine defeats on the government over its flagship Brexit legislation while ministers have seen off just two challenges.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill has had four days at report stage in the House of Lords, with a further two to go.

Lords amendments to the draft legislation will go back for consideration by the House of Commons.

The defeats to-date are:

Day 1: An amendment seeking to retain the option of a customs union with the EU was backed overwhelmingly by 348 votes to 225, majority 123.

A move to ensure that existing protections across a range of areas including employment, equality, health and safety and consumer standards cannot be changed except by primary legislation was approved by 314 votes to 217, majority 97.

Day 2: Peers backed a call to retain key EU human rights provisions on exiting the bloc, voting by 316 to 245, majority 71.

In a linked measure, the Lords voted by 285 to 235, majority 50, to remove the ability for ministers to specify in regulations cases where individuals may bring challenges against the validity of retained EU law.

The unelected chamber also decided by 280 votes to 223, majority 57, to retain the right of legal action over any failure to comply with the general principles of EU law.

Day 3: Peers backed stricter controls on ministerial powers to amend returning EU rules and regulations by 349 votes to 221, majority 128.

Day 4: The Lords voted by 335 to 244, majority 91, to give Parliament a decisive say on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, including in the event of a no deal.

Peers supported a move to give parliament approval of the mandate for negotiations over the UK’s future relationship with the EU, by 270 votes to 233, majority 37.

The continuation post-Brexit of a system that enables lone child refugees to join family members living in the UK was backed by 205 votes to 181, majority 24.

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