MPs Who Voted for the Withdrawal Agreement: What You Need to Know
On January 15th, 2019, the UK Parliament rejected Prime Minister Theresa May`s proposed Brexit deal, also known as the Withdrawal Agreement. The vote was historic, with 432 MPs voting against the deal and only 202 voting for it. Since then, the Withdrawal Agreement has been a contentious issue in UK politics, with ongoing debates about whether it is the right deal for the country. In this article, we will focus on the MPs who voted for the Withdrawal Agreement and what their reasoning was.
Who Voted for the Withdrawal Agreement?
When the Withdrawal Agreement was first presented to Parliament, it was divisive. However, there were still 202 MPs who voted in favour of the deal. These MPs included members of various political parties, including the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Why Did MPs Vote for the Withdrawal Agreement?
The reasons MPs voted for the Withdrawal Agreement are varied. Below are some of the key reasons:
1. Party Allegiance
For many MPs, their party allegiance was the main reason they voted for the Withdrawal Agreement. A majority of Conservative MPs voted for the deal as it reflected the party`s official position. Similarly, some Labour MPs supported the deal as they believed it would provide some certainty for businesses and prevent a no-deal Brexit scenario.
2. Economic Interests
Many MPs voted for the deal as they believed it would be in the best interests of their constituents and the UK economy. The deal provided for a transitional period until December 2020 during which the UK would remain in the EU single market and customs union. This would provide businesses with time to adjust to the new arrangements. Some MPs also believed that the deal would prevent a recession and job losses.
3. Avoiding a No-Deal Brexit
For some MPs, the prospect of a no-deal Brexit was their main concern. The Withdrawal Agreement was seen as the only way to prevent a no-deal scenario and to ensure a smooth departure from the EU. MPs who voted for the deal believed that leaving the EU with no deal would be catastrophic for the UK economy and would cause significant disruption to trade and travel.
4. The Irish Backstop
One aspect of the Withdrawal Agreement that was particularly contentious was the Irish backstop, which was designed to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Some MPs who voted for the deal did so because they believed that the backstop was necessary to prevent a return to violence in Northern Ireland. Others, particularly those in the DUP, voted against the deal because they believed that the backstop would effectively create a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Conclusion
In summary, the MPs who voted for the Withdrawal Agreement did so for a variety of reasons. For some, it was party allegiance, while others believed it was in the best interests of their constituents and the UK economy. Some MPs were motivated by the desire to avoid a no-deal Brexit, while others believed that the Irish backstop was a necessary part of the deal. Whatever their reasons, the debate over the Withdrawal Agreement continues, and it remains to be seen what the ultimate outcome will be.