Both local MPs backed Brexit bill

Liz McInnes and Simon Danczuk both backed the government's European Union Bill

Liz McInnes, Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, and Simon Danczuk, the Independent MP for Rochdale, both backed the government's European Union Bill to get Brexit negotiations under way, despite having campaigned to remain in the European Union. 

In a landslide vote, MPs backed the Brexit bill by 498 votes to 114. The bill will now pass to the next stage in the Parliamentary process - further scrutiny in the House of Commons and the House of Lords - before it can become law.

Before the vote, Ms McInnes previously said: "I will vote to trigger Article 50 on behalf of people in Heywood and Middleton, a majority of whom voted to leave the EU.

"I want the government to now focus on getting the best deal for Britain. I and my Labour colleagues will fight throughout the Brexit negotiations for a deal which protects jobs, the economy and workers' rights."