English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 etc

The House of Commons voted 271 to 171 to pass a government motion accepting or rejecting a package of Lords amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, covering Lords Amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121, 123 and related provisions. The vote took place on 27 April 2026 as part of the bill's ping-pong stage, where the Commons and Lords exchange proposed changes until both chambers agree on a final text. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is the government's flagship legislation for restructuring local government in England and extending devolved powers to mayors and combined authorities. This particular package of Lords amendments covered a wide range of provisions within those parts of the bill. The Commons majority rejected or modified the Lords' proposed changes, keeping the government's preferred approach intact. The outcome determines how local authorities in England are structured, what powers elected mayors hold, and how communities can engage with decisions affecting them. ** The vote divided cleanly along government-versus-opposition lines. All 270 Labour and Labour-Co-operative MPs who voted backed the government, while Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the Democratic Unionist Party all voted against. One independent MP voted with the government; five independents voted against. This pattern mirrors the four other related divisions on the same bill held on 27 April and on 21 April, all of which the government won by comparable margins. There were no notable cross-party rebels within Labour's ranks, suggesting tight party discipline on legislation central to the government's domestic agenda.