A total of 114 MPs voted against the bill designed to give Theresa May’s government authority to trigger article 50 and begin the Brexit process. The bill passed to its second reading, with 498 MPs voting in favour.
We asked our readers around the UK what they made of their local MP’s vote, and whether it tallied with their own hopes and expectations.
We heard sympathy for MPs torn between the wishes of constituents and those of the wider country, while others were annoyed that the process was taking so long.
There was frustration at pro-Remain MPs choosing to vote in favour of the bill; and anger that more MPs did not vote with their conscience and vote against the bill, given how many had been in favour of EU membership before the referendum.
Below at the views of 10 readers, including those from both sides of the debate.
‘I genuinely respect her decision’
As a general rule I would agree with Edmund Burke, when he said of the duties of an MP: “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement: and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”
If my MP believes that triggering article 50 will so harm her constituents and others that she cannot be party to such an act, then I accept and genuinely respect her decision.
Nigel Thomas, Cardiff
Local MP: Jo Stevens, Labour, who quit shadow cabinet over her decision to vote against the bill
‘My MP should have abstained’
It is my view that my MP should have abstained in the vote. I appreciate that Nottingham South voted to remain in the EU, but for the purposes of respecting the national result and that Labour had a three-line whip, she should have abstained.
Though I voted Leave, I am not in favour of a Tory/Ukip Brexit. I want all opposition parties to work towards amending the Article 50 bill to ensure that the Brexit we get is to the benefit of all and not merely the richest in this country.
Anonymous, Nottingham
Local MP: Lilian Greenwood, Labour, who voted against the bill
“I fail to see how she could vote the way she did’
Lambeth had one of the highest percentages of Remain voters in the country and as our MP is meant to represent her constituents. I fail to see how she could vote the way that she did.
Nigel Osborne, Lambeth
MP: Kate Hoey, Labour, who voted in favour of the bill and was a vocal supporter of Brexit
‘I asked that she take a stand’
I wrote and specifically asked that she attempt to vote it down, even though that looked pointless. Lady Sylvia Hermon expressed that it was a very difficult decision. On the one had voting for the bill would mean voting against her own view that Brexit is not a good idea for the country and also voting against her constituents wishes. Whereas voting against the bill is essentially voting against the express wishes of the country. I asked that she take a stand that may be remembered in time to come.
Sam Moore, North Down
MP: Lady Sylvia Hermon, Independent, who voted against the bill
‘Ken Clarke was magnificent’
An MP is elected to represent people in parliament . I think that means they should do their best for the people even if it means they have to say things they don’t want to hear.
Most MPs were for Remain but many quickly turned just to keep their seats - Ken Clarke was magnificent.
Anonymous, Nottingham
MP: Ken Clarke - the only Conservative MP to vote against the bill
‘Our MPs betrayed us’
Our MP’s betrayed us last night, voting to plunge the country into barbarism and isolation. With a few notable exceptions they voted to destroy the country’s economy and place in the world, in the full knowledge that it was wrong.
John King, Redditch
MP: Karen Lumley, Conservative, who voted in favour of the bill
‘Jeremy Corbyn should have represented us’
Jeremy Corbyn represents a constituency where approximately 80% of the electorate voted to remain in the EU. As an MP, he should first and foremost have represented us on this matter, let alone introducing a three-line whip for the rest of his party.
Miriam Lloyd-Evans, Islington
MP: Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader, who voted in favour of the bill
‘MPs should vote to reflect the wishes of their constituency’
Hackney was an overwhelmingly Remain area. Given this was a referendum decision, our MP should vote to reflect the wishes of her constituency. I was happy with this. I would have been equally happy if she had voted to approve article 50 as this would have been a representation of the wishes of the majority of the population. Where I would not have been happy is if it had been a Leave area and she had voted against the motion. In referendums which then require an act of parliament to enact the decision, it is imperative MPs vote to reflect the wishes of their constituency as closely as possible irrespective of their own personal view.
Matt Nicholls, Hackney
Local MP: Meg Hillier, Labour, who voted against the bill
‘A decision was taken by the people’
There are expectations that MPs believe in democracy and a decision was taken by the people that should be respected, like it or not. Therefore the MP should have voted in favour of the bill. There are strong economic, pro-worker, truly internationalist reasons to exit the EU. Now is the time for a proper, rational debate and to fight for progressive economic, trade and migration policies.
Paul Foley, Stockport
MP: Ann Coffey, Labour, who voted against the bill
‘We need to get on with things as quickly as possible’
I’m not sure anymore. We’re here with the decision by majority vote. We might as well get on with things as quickly as possible now to limit any further damage to our reputation.
James Hitchcock, Worcester
MP: Robin Walker, Conservative, who voted in favour of the bill
