Brexit news: MPs reject every single indicative vote option as Theresa May vows to quit to get her deal passed
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Your support makes all the difference.MPs have failed to unite around any Brexit strategy after a series of indicative votes revealed no majority in the Commons for any plan.
Attempts to break the Brexit impasse floundered when MPs rejected eight different options, including a fresh referendum, a customs union and a no-deal exit.
In a dramatic day in Westminster, Theresa May told Tory MPs she will resign before the next phase of Brexit talks, in an attempt to secure support for her deal.
Addressing the 1922 committee of backbench Conservatives, the prime minister said she “would not remain in post for the next phase of the negotiations”, making way for a successor once her Brexit deal has passed.
Senior Brexiteers including Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith signalled they would pivot to back the prime minister’s deal – but the DUP dealt Ms May a fresh blow by refusing to support her.
But it seems her offered sacrifice may have been in vain, as the Democratic Unionist Party announced it would not back a deal which “poses an unacceptable threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom”.
In a potentially fatal blow to Ms May’s chances, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the Northern Irish party “cannot sign up” to the deal because of its controversial “backstop” provisions.
Westminster leader Nigel Dodds made clear the party’s 10 MPs will vote against the deal if it is brought back for a third “meaningful vote”, declaring: “The DUP do not abstain on the Union.”
The decision leaves Ms May in need of the votes of large numbers of Labour MPs or rebel Tory Brexiteers, many of whom are expected to be strongly influenced by the DUP’s stance.
She has indicated she will only make a third attempt to pass the deal, following its overwhelming defeat by 230 votes in January and 149 in March, if she has a credible chance of success.
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John Bercow is back in the chair and ready to announce the results of the indicative votes.
Baron - Ayes 160, Noes 400
Boles - Ayes 188, Noes 283
Eustice - Ayes 65, Noes 377
Clarke - Ayes 264, Noes 272
Labour - Ayes 237, Noes 307
SNP - Ayes 184, Noes 293
Beckett - Ayes 268, Noes 295
Fysh - Ayes 139 noes 422
ALL DEFEATED
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay is making a point of order. He says there is no easy way forward and Theresa May's Brexit deal is the best compromise.
The defeats strengthen the government's view that the deal is the best of option, he says.
MPs have failed to break the Brexit impasse after failing to find a Commons majority for any Brexit plan, despite voting on eight different options.
Under the indicative vote process, MPs did not reach a consensus after MPs dramatically seized control of the agenda in the House of Commons.
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On a point of order, Sir Oliver Letwin said: "It is, of course, a very great disappointment that the House has not chosen to find a majority for any proposition, however those of us who put this proposal forward as a way of proceeding predicted that we would not this evening reach a majority, and indeed for that very reason put forward a business of the House motion designed to allow the House to reconsider these matters on Monday."
To shouts of "no", he added: "And if on Monday the House is able to reach a majority view, I think that would be in the interests of our constituents, but I personally continue to harbour the hope that (MPs) will see fit to vote in favour of a government motion between now and close of play on Friday. Which would obviate the necessity for a further set of votes on Monday."
The division lists are out and there's lots of really interesting detail in there.
Expect fireworks in Labour as 27 MPs voted against a public vote - party policy was to back it. It was defeated by 27 votes...
Tory MP Huw Merriman was among 8 Conservatives who voted for a confirmatory referendum. He's a new face in the public vote camp, joining MPs like Philip Lee, Jo Johnson and Sam Gyimah who have been open advocates of the plan.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Vince Cable said the "centre of gravity" had become clearer following Wednesday's votes.
He wrote: "As anticipated, the Commons has not produced an absolutely clear way forward, but it is clearer where the centre of gravity now is.
"Whichever Brexit option the government pursues, it must be put to the public in a confirmatory vote."
Pro-EU Tory Nick Boles said he hoped to persuade his colleagues ahead of the next series of votes after MPs rejected his Brexit alternative of Common market 2.0 on Wednesday.
The Grantham and Stamford MP tweeted: "Pleased to find that more Conservatives voted for Common Market 2.0 than for either the Customs Union or the Second Referendum.
"I hope to persuade more colleagues to back it on Monday."
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