House of Lords deliver another defeat for May over Brexit

The House of Lords have inflicted a 15th defeat on the government’s key Brexit bill, underlining the acute political challenge Theresa May faces in seeking a deal that both parliament and her warring ministers can live with.

The latest amendment, aimed at bolstering environmental protection after Brexit, was carried by 294 to 244 votes on Wednesday.

The prime minister must now decide when to bring the legislation back to the House of Commons and seek to undo the changes made by peers.

The Guardian reports that Martin Callanan, the Conservative leader in the Lords, said: “Since its introduction, we’ve listened to those who offer constructive suggestions to improve the bill so that it can deliver on its vital purpose of preparing our statute book for exit day. “However, during the bill’s journey through the House of Lords some changes have been made that conflict with its purpose or are designed to frustrate the entire exit process, and so we are considering the implications of those decisions.”