British lawmakers back Brexit legislation, but bill faces scrutiny from pro-EU upper house

British lawmakers voted in favourof the government's legislative blueprint for Brexit onWednesday, marking a victory for Prime Minister Theresa May overpolitical opponents who want a softer approach to leaving theEuropean Union.

But the legislation will now face scrutiny from Parliament'slargely pro-EU upper house, where May's party does not have amajority, which will intensify efforts to force a rerun of a2016 referendum, and water down or even stop the divorce.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was approved by a 324-295 vote in the lower house a milestone on the long roadtowards cementing the legal foundations of Britain's departurefrom the bloc.

The bill repeals the 1972 law that made Britain a member ofthe EU, and transfers EU laws into British ones.

"This bill is essential for preparing the country for thehistoric milestone of withdrawing from the European Union,"Brexit Minister David Davis told Parliament before the vote.

"It ensures that on day one we will have a statute book thatworks, delivering the smooth and orderly exit desired by peopleand businesses across the United Kingdom and being delivered bythis government."

The bill has become the focal point for months of divisivedebate about what type of EU divorce Britain should seek,severely testing May's ability to deliver on her exit strategywithout a parliamentary majority.

But despite one embarrassing parliamentary defeat, severalgovernment concessions and rebellion from within her own party,May's Conservative lawmakers overcame opposition from the LabourParty and others.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn instructed his lawmakers to voteagainst passage of the bill because the government had not metconditions set out by the party, demanding safeguards on a rangeof issues including workers and consumer rights.

"This bill has never been fit for purpose," said Labour'sBrexit policy chief, Keir Starmer, describing any attempt topersuade the government that the legislation needed to change as"talking to a brick wall."

Many lords oppose Brexit

The upper house, the House of Lords, will now begin monthsof scrutiny of the bill before it can become law. Any changesmade by the lords will require approval from the lower house,and the whole process could take until May to complete.

The House of Lords contains a diverse, largely unelected,mix of political appointees, expertsand members who inheritedtheir positions. Many lords are opposed to Brexit.

Some of those figures are expected to try to soften theBrexit approach to include remaining in the EU's single market
or a second public vote, but the most likely areas for changesinvolve technical and constitutional issues.

May has ruled out a second vote and says Britain will beleaving. Labour's Corbyn is also committed to following throughwith Brexit, albeit pushing for different priorities and aims.

Nevertheless, calls for a second referendum are expected topersist, particularly as both pro- and anti-EU politicians havemooted the possibility recently.

EU officials and some member states have said they wouldwelcome a change of heart from Britain.

Barring a major change of policy from one of thecountry's two largest political parties, however, Britain remains on course to leave the bloc in March 2019.