What is the Cooper Amendment on Article 50 and how does it affect Brexit?

YVETTE Cooper sought to force Theresa May to commit to her Brexit promises in her amendment.

It was supported with 482 votes to 20. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Cooper Amendment on Article 50?

The Cooper amendment sought to force the Prime Minister to not back down on her promises to allow MPs to vote on her deal, a potential no-deal and a Brexit delay.

Mrs May offered MPs a chance to vote to delay Brexit if her deal is rejected again next month, in a move which closely matched demands put forward in a plan by Ms Cooper and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin.

While Sir Oliver said there was now “no need” for the Cooper/Letwin Bill, Ms Cooper said she would lay a cross-party amendment to secure confirmation of the Prime Minister’s commitment.

And on February 27, the amendment was passed.

How does it affect Brexit?

The amendment would give Parliament the legal power to force Mrs May to delay Brexit, and seek an extension of Article 50, to prevent a no deal.

Mrs May voted for the amendment, which set out her promise to MPs that a second “meaningful vote” on her Brexit deal would take place by March 12.

If this is defeated, a motion asking MPs if they support a no-deal Brexit would be put before the Commons.

Should the Commons, as expected, reject a no-deal Brexit, they will then be given the chance to vote to seek an extension to Article 50, delaying the UK’s exit from the European Union beyond the current March 29 deadline

Mr Corbyn said: “We are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory (Conservative) Brexit being forced on the country.

“One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent no deal.”