Clear the Lobby: What laws are MPs voting on this week (w/c 18th May)?

Welcome to our weekly feature courtesy of Sebastian Salek, the brains behind Clear the Lobby, working to bring you all the laws MPs are voting on this week, and explained in plain English!

Hey team.

Two major pieces of Brexit legislation this week.

First up, the Immigration and Social Security Co–Ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, which ends free movement of people.

We could hear amendments from the Lib Dems, SNP and Labour backbenchers seeking to block a second reading, but those won’t go far.

The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas is trying something similar on the Trade Bill, which creates a framework for Britain’s independent trade policy.

Then there’s the vote on the liaison committee chair.

(This is the “super committee” made up of the chairs of all the select committees, which interrogates the prime minister twice a year.)

The government is trying to avoid a troublemaker getting the job, so they’re proposing Sir Bernard Jenkin, even though he doesn’t chair any select committees.

Watch out on Wednesday afternoon to see if Tory backbenchers rebel and pick someone else, who could be a headache for the government.

Next week is recess, so it’ll be a fortnight until the next newsletter. In the meantime, feel free to tweet me, or just reply to this email.

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

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MONDAY 18 MAY

Immigration and Social Security Co–Ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Ends free movement of people into the UK after Brexit. Makes EU, EEA and and Swiss nationals and their family members subject to UK immigration controls.
Draft bill / Commons library briefing

TUESDAY 19 MAY

No votes scheduled

WEDNESDAY 20 MAY

Trade Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Creates the framework for post-Brexit trade policy. Allows the UK to be part of the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement in its own right, rather than as a member of the EU. (This means British businesses are still able to bid for overseas government procurement opportunities covered by the GPA after the end of the transition period.)Establishes a new body, the Trade Remedies Authority, to combat unfair trading practices. Implements the trade deals with countries like South Korea that the UK had as a member of the EU but wants to keep.
Draft bill

THURSDAY 21 MAY

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 22 MAY

No votes scheduled

Want more?
Check your MP’s voting record and read the day’s debates at TheyWorkForYou.

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• Agriculture Bill – goes to the Lords

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