PEERS are to back the UK Government’s Brexit trade deal with the EU.
The European Union (Future Relationship) Bill, bringing the deal into UK law, was approved in the Commons by 521 votes to 73.
Despite reservations about the legislation being rushed through Parliament in just one day, the Lords is set to follow suit.
Lords leader Baroness Evans of Bowes Park urged peers to put years of turbulence over Brexit behind them.
Lady Evans claimed the "historic" deal "takes back control of our money, borders, laws and waters" while protecting the Good Friday Agreement, she insisted.
For the opposition, Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town said politicians owed it to the past and the future "to ensure that we continue with the motivation and the drive" that built the EU as a "successful, peaceful and co-operating bloc".
She told the House: "This won't be easy as we erect new trading barriers with our neighbours, reduce access to jobs and education across Europe and step outside the customs union and single market."
LibDem leader in the Lords, Lord Newby, said: "It's the most important single treaty this Parliament has had to consider since we joined the European Community in 1973, yet today we are invited simply to rubber stamp it in a matter of hours.
"A treaty which the Prime Minister claims restores our sovereignty begins its life by mocking parliamentary sovereignty."
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He added: "We on these benches have opposed Brexit as we oppose this Bill because we believe on all counts it is bad for our country."
But Labour's Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said it was an "inadequate" deal, which "unstitches 40 years of fruitful co-operation" with the EU.
He said it was the time for those who supported UK membership to "gird up our loins" and prepare to "renew the fight to restore our rightful position within the EU".
Tory former minister Lord Moynihan said: "I believe in time, the surprising strength of this deal will lead other member states carefully to consider their membership of the European Union."
The second reading debate, with more than 120 peers listed to speak, came after Labour former Cabinet minister Lord Adonis accused the Prime Minister of a "gross abuse" of the parliamentary process by forcing the Bill through in just one day's sitting.
Lord Adonis said the move was "unacceptable" and warned that ministers were treating the public "with contempt".
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