Gov't has been defeated for the 4th time in......>

UK: Gov't has been defeated for the 4th time in the House of Lords on amendments

to the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) bill.

- Peers vote in favour of Lord Dubs' amendment that concerned unaccompanied

child migrants coming to UK from EU after Brexit, 300 to 220.

- In practice these defeats are unlikely to derail Brexit. Once the WAB goes

back to the Commons tomorrow, Conservative MPs will be able to defeat the

amendments given the large majority for the gov't.

- For some bills this would mean being stuck in 'ping-pong', where Commons and

Lords can't agree to the wording of a bill, meaning is bounces back between the

two chambers.

- The 'Salisbury convention' usually applies in this sort of case, where the

Lords will not block or offer amendments designed to destroy a bill if said bill

relates to a gov't manifesto pledge, as the WAB does in this case. 

- Lords may state that the amendments to the WAB are not 'wrecking amendments',

and that they should be adhered to by the gov't, but unlikely to be the case.