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John Bercow has dealt Boris Johnson a major blow by rejecting the PM’s demand for a “meaningful vote” on his Brexit deal.
The Commons Speaker said the motion the Government wanted to bring before MPs on Monday was the same “in substance” as the one considered on Saturday.
He said it would be “repetitive and disorderly” to debate the motion again.
The Prime Minister had hoped to get approval for his Brexit plans on Monday afternoon. He abandoned Saturday’s vote on his Brexit deal when MPs passed an amended motion which withholds approval until it has been passed into law.
But Mr Bercow said because the circumstances and the substance of today’s motion were the same, a vote should not go ahead.
He told MPs: “This matter was decided fewer than 49 hours ago.
“After more than three hours of debate the House voted by 322 to 306 for Sir Oliver Letwin’s amendment, which stated that ‘this House has considered the matter but withholds approval unless and until implementing legislation is passed’.”
Mr Bercow continued: “Today’s motion is in substance the same as Saturday’s motion, and the House has decided the matter.
“Today’s circumstances are in substance the same as Saturday’s circumstances.
“My ruling is therefore that the motion will not be debated today as it would be repetitive and disorderly to do so.”
Mr Bercow cited the so-called “same question convention” preventing the same matter being discussed twice. He called it “a necessary rule to ensure the sensible use of the House’s time, and proper respect for the decisions that it takes”.
The Speaker has previously ruled out repeatedly bringing back votes on the same matter more than once.
The Government published the Withdrawal Agreement Bill later on Monday, with the second reading debate due to take place on Tuesday.
The Withdrawal Agreement Bill is the legally-binding treaty that must be passed for the UK to leave the EU, while the Government must also win a meaningful vote.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay called on MPs to “respect the referendum” by backing the Bill, warning them: “This is the chance to leave the EU with a deal on October 31.”
Ministers insist they could have sufficient support among MPs to get it passed so the UK can depart by the current October 31 deadline.
But, with no Commons majority, Mr Johnson faces a major battle to achieve his pledge to lead the country out of the bloc on that date.
