Government Gets Its Way in Brexit Amendment Votes. SNP Walkout. Roman Secrets

WWI tank floral feature Huntingdon

On Tuesday, the Government won each of the challenges it made to the Lord's amendments to the Brexit Bill. however, it was a close thing on the matter of whether parliament should have a vote on any Brexit deal. One minister had resigned and there was sufficient resistance in the ranks that the government could scent a possible defeat. However, Theresa May apparently made some promises that an amendment would be made when the bill passed back to the House of Lords, one that seemed sufficient for the Tory rebels either to abstain or vote with the Government.

A vote today for Britain to stay within the  European Economic Area (EEA) after Brexit was defeated. Jeremy Corbyn had asked for party members to abstain from voting but 90 Labour MP's broke ranks, with 75 voting for the proposal.

The main excitement came during Prime Minister Questions when the SNP Leader Ian Blackford protested against the short time for debating devolution issues and was asked to leave the house for the day by the Speaker. The SNP leader was promptly followed out of the House by the SNP MPs amidst claims that Westminster was trying to claw back powers from Scotland.

The Government did suffer a defeat elsewhere today, when the EU decided to proceed with the procurement for next round of Galileo sat nav construction and launches. Because no deal has been agreed between London and the EU-27 to allow Britain continued participation in Galileo, it looks increasingly likely that UK companies will not get access to new contracts or even influence on the future of Galileo.

Jane and I visited Histon Library after lunch, to listen to Kate Hadley talk of Roman votive treasures found in the region. It was based on the 'Roman Secrets' DVD and PDF ebook that we had produced an published for Kate.