Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya fails to vote as Parliament calls for Brexit delay
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Not for the first time during the Brexit process the independent MP for Peterborough, whose political future is under grave threat, failed to take part in proceedings.
Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara voted against delaying Article 50 but was in a minority.
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Hide AdHowever, the former minister - who voted Remain but quit the Government due to his opposition to Theresa May’s deal - did help defeat amendments calling for a second referendum and for MPs to take over the process of delivering Brexit.
Ms Onasanya was convicted in December at the Old Bailey for perverting the course of justice and sentenced in February to three months in prison, of which she served four weeks.
A Recall Petition to remove her as MP opens on Tuesday. The petition was automatically launched after Ms Onasanya failed to overturn her conviction for lying about who was driving her car when it was caught speeding in Thorney in July 2017.
If 10 per cent of her constituents (just under 7,000 people) sign the petition within a six week period then she will lose her seat and a by-election will be triggered.
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Hide AdThe MP was expelled by the Labour the day after her conviction and is currently sitting as an independent. She has twice voted against the Government’s Brexit deal but has missed several other important Brexit votes without giving a reason.
Any extension to Article 50 will need the support of the 27 other EU states. Otherwise the UK is still on course to leave the EU on March 29.
A third ‘meaningful vote’ on the Prime Minister’s deal is set to be held next week.
The Government has also revealed it will allow the Commons to hold indicative votes on different Brexit options after the EU Council summit which begins next Thursday.
The amendments - and how our MPs voted
Remainers
Extend Article 50 in order to have a second referendum.
Result: Rejected by 334 votes to 85
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) - Abstain
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) - Against
Steve Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) - Against
Nick Boles (Grantham & Stamford) - Against
Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) - Against
John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) - Against
Tom Pursglove (East Northamptonshire) - Against
Benn/Cooper
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Hide AdAllow MPs to take control of parliamentary business and hold a series of indicative votes on different Brexit options.
Result: Rejected by 314 votes to 312
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) - Abstain
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) - Against
Steve Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) - Against
Nick Boles (Grantham & Stamford) - For
Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) - For
John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) - Against
Tom Pursglove (East Northamptonshire) - Against
Labour
Reject the PM’s deal and no deal and ask for an extension to Brexit talks to “provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach”.
Result: Rejected by 318 votes to 302
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) - Abstain
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) - Against
Steve Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) - Against
Nick Boles (Grantham & Stamford) - Against
Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) - Against
John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) - Against
Tom Pursglove (East Northamptonshire) - Against
Government motion
The UK will request a “one-off extension” to Article 50 until June 30, 2019 in order to allow more time for ratification of a deal and the passing of any legislation.
Result: Approved by 413 votes to 202
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) - Abstain
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) - Against
Steve Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) - Against
Nick Boles (Grantham & Stamford) - For
Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) - For
John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) - Against
Tom Pursglove (East Northamptonshire) - Against
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