As government bill to trigger UK’s withdrawal from EU passes Commons with Labour support, many ask if the fight should have started a tiny bit earlier

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The government bill to trigger article 50 sailed through the Commons on Wednesday night with a majority of 372. A three-line whip from Labour forced the resignation of Clive Lewis as shadow business secretary and saw most official opposition MPs side with the government, despite the failure to secure any amendments to the bill, which now heads to the Lords unscathed.

Then – after a punishing referendum campaign, an even more punishing defeat for Remainers, agonising over how Labour MPs should vote and several shadow cabinet resignations – Jeremy Corbyn had an announcement: the real fight starts now.

Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) Real fight starts now. Over next two years Labour will use every opportunity to ensure Brexit protects jobs, living standards & the economy.

Hmm, thought some (or strangulated noises to that effect).

Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon – whose SNP MPs in Westminster voted against the bill – suggested there hadn’t been much fighting from Corbyn so far:

Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) How? You've just handed the Tories a blank cheque. You didn't win a single concession but still voted for the Bill. Pathetic. https://t.co/kDje2GLAey

But of course, the internet found snappier ways to respond to the Labour leader’s newfound enthusiasm for a battle.

(First, a note: yes, there are other ways to talk about politics and the crucial issue of Britain leaving the EU that do not involve collecting tweets. That’s a reasonable view. Read our main story here, how MPs blocked an amendment to protect EU citizens in the UK here, Andrew Sparrow’s exhaustive live coverage here and the Guardian editorial here. The full list of MPs who voted against the bill is here.)

Stewart (now Lord) Wood, formerly an adviser to Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, was among those who thought it might be a bit late for Corbyn to start socking it to the hard Brexiters.

Stewart Wood (@StewartWood) This feels a bit like Monty Python & The Holy Grail when the Black Knight has all his limbs cut off & says: "Alright, we'll call it a draw". https://t.co/krVgTNTntH

Carl Maxim (@carlmaxim) The first rule of Real Fight Starts Now Club is that you have no idea when the real fight should have started.

Sophie Heawood (@heawood) @ferdosnandos @jeremycorbyn No rush m8

(((Julie Minns))) (@kenningtonkitty) The fight was last summer.

You went on a mini break & missed it https://t.co/xKpOaXORBU

Others wondered if Corbyn and co had the stomach for a dust-up:



dubdubble (@dubdubble) The real fight starts here. pic.twitter.com/MMcjtuEUqP

Chris Love (@VanHellsong) "The real fight starts here" #corbrexit pic.twitter.com/9tCYgAkoEs

Could the fight, some asked, be a futile one?

Jonathan Healey (@SocialHistoryOx) Real fight starts now. Over next two years Harold will use every opportunity to ensure this protects jobs, living standards and the economy. pic.twitter.com/QDjmA8ftTm

Ben Stanley (@BDStanley) The real fight starts here. pic.twitter.com/jgEqwIvWCc

Some, though, seemed to think it was at least worth a try:

Panny (@Pannypannypan) @madeofwasps Real fight starts now. pic.twitter.com/fGlVrD1nU0

Remember, the Empire did strike back (and yes, they were the baddies. But things aren’t so clear-cut any more in this galaxy):