Stock Photo of Opponents of Brexit demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in central London. In the Commons, on a day of significant parliamentary activity over Brexit, MPs voted down a cross-party amendment tabled by Labour Party MP Yvette Cooper and Conservative Party MP Nick Boles designed to substantially reduce the risk of a much-feared 'no-deal' exit from the EU. An amendment rejecting the principle of a no-deal exit was meanwhile approved, as was a government-backed amendment championed by Conservative Party MP Graham Brady calling for 'alternative arrangements' to take the place of the controversial Irish 'backstop' provision in the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU.