MPs have voted by an overwhelming majority to begin the formal process of leaving the EU, by approving the triggering of Article 50.

With the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill approved on its third reading by 494 votes to 122, authorising the two-year talks with the EU, Theresa May, the prime minister, largely managed to quell a rebellion within her own Conservative party. 

Instead, it has been the opposition Labour party that has struggled to paper over the cracks. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn lost Clive Lewis, one of his key lieutenants as a result of his decision to order his MPs to vote with the government. A total of 52 MPs rebelled against his bid not to antagonise millions of Labour supporters who voted for Brexit last year. This included Mr Lewis, the shadow business secretary.