Jeez, is any vote in the UK binding? Do they just vote on stuff for shits and giggles?
Plenty. But as in most legislatures, there are various levels of vote in the UK Parliament, ranging from those which simply reflect Parliament's opinion on a particular subject (such as this one) to those which create new laws or change old ones. The case currently being determined by the Supreme Court hinges on whether there has to be primary legislation - a new Act or Acts of Parliament - before the Brexit process can formally begin.
It’s parliamentary politics.
This was a fast, non-binding bill to knock down Remain momentum. It forced MPs to declare their broad position and become vulnerable to deselection.
A detailed and binding bill couldn’t have been scheduled into parliamentary time for months. This bill forced a declaration from MPs now.
Also: HMG doesn’t believe that a binding bill is required for Brexit.
They see no need to play into the left-wing Judges worldview.
Court had ruled that the PM could not set the date, said parliament had to. So here it is.