Liberal Democrats

Last Night's Queens Speech vote - what you need to know

Last Night's Queens Speech vote - what you need to know:

By , Jun 30, 2017 1:06

Last night, Liberal Democrat MPs backed a cross-party amendment to the Queen’s Speech that would have kept the UK in the Single Market.

All 12 of our MPs, along with 89 MPs from other parties backed the amendment – but unfortunately after Jeremy Corbyn imposed a three-line whip on his MPs the amendment was defeated by a majority of 221.

After the vote, he doubled down, by firing four Shadow Cabinet ministers who voted for the Amendment.

Could last night have been different?

Yes, it could. Earlier in the day the Government came close to defeat on two amendments on ending the Public Sector Pay freeze and allowing Northern Irish women use the NHS for abortions. The second vote forced the Government into a concession, in a major victory for Campaigners.

Speaking after that vote, Lib Dem MP, Jo Swinson said “his shows the power of cross-party pressure, which will be even more effective in this balanced Parliament”

If Jeremy Corbyn instructed to back the amendment (which came from one of his own backbenchers!) there’s a real chance the Government could have either been defeated or forced to back down.

On the most important issue of the day, Jeremy Corbyn ordered his MPs to sit on their hands – and we’ll all suffer the consequences.

And if you want to know how daft his decision last night was, well, just look at the host of "characters" who’ve been celebrating it:

Why does the single market matter?

The single market means it as easy to trade between London and Berlin as it is between Edinburgh and London.

Within the Single Market, goods, people, services and capital can move freely, meaning there are no lengthy customs checks, borders to cross and goods can move freely and cheaply.

Giving up our membership of the Single Market would be catastrophic for our economy and put millions of people’s livelihoods at risk.

Even if we agreed on a deal allowing access to the Single Market (which the Conservatives haven’t even confirmed they’ll be pursuing) it would mean less investment, fewer jobs and no say over the laws that government our access, compared to remaining fully-fledged members.

Join our fight to keep Britain in the Single Market - add your name today:

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