Brexit Indicative Votes: What Do Defence Ministers Want?

With just over two weeks to go to the already extended Brexit day deadline, British MPs discussed eight motions in Parliament.

After conducting indicative votes on each motion on Wednesday, there was no majority for any options.

The Prime Minister gave Tory MPs a free vote, but the Cabinet, including Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, abstained.

While Tobias Ellwood decided to abstain, here is a breakdown of how the other defence ministers voted.

Motion (B): No deal

The motion proposes leaving the European Union without a deal on 12 April, 2019.

It was rejected 160 to 400.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted in favour of the motion.

Motion (D): Common market 2.0

This motion sees the UK as a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and of the European Economic Area (EEA).

It was rejected 188 to 283.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (H): EFTA and EEA

This motion is similar to Motion (D), with the exception that it rules out any possible customs union with the European Union.

It was rejected 65 to 377.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (J): Customs Union

This motion ensures that any Brexit negotiation would include a comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU.

It was rejected 264 to 272.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (K): Labour’s alternative plan

This motion sees the UK and the EU closely aligned after Brexit, with the inclusion of the UK in a permanent customs union, alignment in the single market, rights and protections.

It was rejected 237 to 307.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (L): Revocation to avoid no deal

This motion proposes a no-deal Brexit vote within the Government in the event of no Withdrawal Agreement reached two days ahead of the date set to leave the EU, meaning the Prime Minister would need to revoke Article 50 in case a no-deal is rejected by MPs.

It was rejected 184 to 293.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (M): Confirmatory public vote

This motion proposes that the UK cannot ratify any Brexit deal unless said deal has been approved by the people of the UK in a public ballot.

It was rejected 268 to 295.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted against the motion.

Motion (O): Contingent preferential arrangements

This motion proposes the Government seeks preferential trade agreements with the European Union in case of a lack of an agreement on the Withdrawal Agreement with the bloc.

It was rejected 139 to 422.

Both Mark Lancaster MP and Stuart Andrew MP voted in favour of the motion.

The information concerning the defence ministers' votes was gathered using CommonsVotes.