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How bid to avoid no-deal Brexit next week could race through the House of Lords

Sky News takes you through the need-to-know highlights as parliament races to pass a new law before next week's EU summit.

By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter

Thursday 4 April 2019 11:12, UK

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Peers find their places in the House of Lords before the State Opening Of Parliament at Houses of Parliament on June 21, 2017 in London, England. This year saw a scaled-back State opening of Parliament Ceremony with the Queen arriving by car rather than carriage and not wearing the Imperial State Crown or the Robes of State. (Photo by Carl Court - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Image: Peers will try to get the bill through in one day
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Peers will today try to race a proposed law through parliament to avoid a no-deal Brexit next week.

After passing through the Commons by just one vote, the bill will now be scrutinised by the House of Lords and could come into effect as early as Monday.

It will be a rare day of high drama in the upper house, as some peers could attempt to block the bill.

So here's everything you need to know about what is happening.

What is this bid to avert no-deal?

The EU and Union flags flying outside Parliament in Westminster
Image: The legislation sped through the Commons in a single day - by one vote

It is a proposed law drawn up by Labour MP Yvette Cooper, to stop Britain falling out of the EU next Friday without an agreement.

The European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill squeaked through the Commons in a late-night showdown on Wednesday, passing by only one vote with the help of 14 Tories.

If passed today by the Lords, it would force Mrs May to ask the EU to delay Brexit for a second time, unless a deal is passed before the formal deadline she has to ask for one - next Wednesday.

The prime minister has already promised to do so, but MPs want to make sure she is legally forced to keep her word.

What will happen when?

House of Lords
Image: Seven amendments have already been tabled

The Lords is usually a fairly forgotten part of the legislative process.

But it will be front and centre of political focus in Westminster today as peers take the highly unusual step of trying to pass a whole new law in one day.

There are five stages a bill has to pass through in both houses - first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading.

The first reading stage kicks off at 11.30am, before a vote on suspending parliamentary rules that all the following ones cannot be in the same day.

Second reading then takes place at 12pm, with the following stages due to follow late into the evening.

How likely is it the no-deal block will pass?

Theresa May has been holding talks with serious EU players in Egypt
Image: Theresa May has already promised to ask for a Brexit delay next week

The short answer is quite likely.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that "we know the House of Lords is very, very averse to a no-deal Brexit".

Wrecking amendments could be placed down to force votes to take the sting out of the legislation.

Seven changes have already been tabled and the Brexit secretary has said he is sure peers will "want to scrutinise this bill passed at pace with its constitutional flaws".

Notable Tory Brexiteers could well gang up to try and defeat the bill, including former chancellors Lord Lawson and Lord Lamont.

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