Brexit news latest: Theresa May suffers second defeat in one day as Lords vote to scrap fixed leaving date

Mrs May's Cabinet remains at loggerheads
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Martin Coulter8 May 2018
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The House of Lords handed the Government its second defeat on Brexit in one day after voting to scrap plans for a fixed departure date.

Peers voted to remove the date from the bill by a majority of 78, with 311 backing the motion and 233 opposing it.

Earlier on Tuesday the House voted to maintain Britain's relations with EU agencies post-Brexit.

Peers backed the amendment to allow Britain's continued participation in EU agencies by 298 votes to 227, a majority of 71.

The Government suffered yet another defeat
PA Archive/PA Images

Theresa May's Cabinet is split between ministers, including foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who favour a clean-break "hard Brexit," that would leave Britain freer to strike new trade deals around the world, and those including Treasury chief Philip Hammond who want to keep closely aligned to the EU, Britain's biggest trading partner.

The two sides of the government remain at loggerheads almost two years after Britain voted to leave the EU and less than a year before it officially exits the bloc on March 29, 2019.

That has led May, who heads an unstable minority government, to put off taking a firm stand on key Brexit issues for as long as possible - to the frustration of EU leaders, who have warned repeatedly that time is running short to strike a deal.

Meanwhile, pro-EU British lawmakers have been nibbling away at the government's flagship Brexit bill, which is currently going through Parliament, in hopes of softening the terms of departure.

On Tuesday the House of Lords, Parliament's upper chamber, voted to amend the bill by removing the fixed departure date of March 29, 2019. Supporters said that would give the government more flexibility in negotiations.

Peers have made a dozen changes to the bill in all. It's unclear whether they will survive a final vote in the House of Commons, which has the power to override the unelected Lords.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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