text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - Avoid Hard Border in Ireland Without the UK Remaining Aligned to the EU Customs Union
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to express support for an agreement on the UK's withdrawal from the EU which avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland via a mechanism other than the United Kingdom remaining aligned with the European Union customs union. 
  @ MP voted no against an agreement on the UK's withdrawal from the EU which avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland via a mechanism other than the United Kingdom remaining aligned with the European Union customs union. 
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted to express support for an agreement on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union which avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland via a mechanism other than the United Kingdom remaining aligned with the European Union customs union. 
  
  The majority of MPs were also expressing support for leaving the union with a "deal" ie. a withdrawal agreement of some sort.  
  
  MPs were considering a motion stating:
  
  :That this House, in accordance with the provisions of [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/16/section/13/enacted section 13(6)(a) and 13(11)(b)(i) and 13(13)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018], has considered [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2019-01-21.HCWS1258.h the Written Statement titled âStatement under Section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018â and made on 21 January 2019], and [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2019-01-24.HCWS1271.h the Written Statement titled âStatement under Section 13(11)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018âand made on 24 January 2019].
  
  The amendment rejected in this vote was:
  :Amendment proposed: (n), at end, add
  
  :âand
  :''requires'' the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; 
  :''supports'' leaving the European Union with a deal and 
  :''would therefore support'' the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change.â
  
  The negotiated withdrawal agreement as of the time of the vote[1] described the arrangements for avoiding a hard border as being:
  
  : maintaining full alignment with those rules of the Union's internal market and the customs union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all-island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement, to apply unless and until an alternative arrangement implementing another scenario is agreed,
  
  
      
  
  * [1] [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/759019/25_November_Agreement_on_the_withdrawal_of_the_United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_from_the_European_Union_and_the_European_Atomic_Energy_Community.pdf Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland from the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, as endorsed by leaders at a special meeting of the European Council on 25 November 2018, Gov.uk website]
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  