Theresa May endures humiliating loss as Tory rebels refuse to back government plan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has suffered another embarrassing defeat in the Commons, after MPs again voted down her Brexit plans on Valentine's Day.
By a majority of 45, the prime minister's latest non-binding motion - endorsing her plans - was rejected by MPs after a considerable rebellion from Conservative backbenchers.
The defeat came after the pro-Brexit Tory European Research Group announced they had taken a "collective decision" to abstain.
Immediately after the vote, Jeremy Corbyn said he was "surprised" the prime minister wasn't present in the Commons "to hear the result of this vote".
He added: "I was going to ask her to come to the despatch box now and admit her strategy has failed and bring forward to the House a coherent plan.
"A coherent plan that can deal with the stresses and anxieties that so many people all over over this country are feeling that can be brought to this House so we can make some progress forward to bring people together and prevent a catastrophic no-deal Brexit on 29th March."
But responding to the votes on Thursday evening, a Downing Street spokesman said: “Jeremy Corbyn yet again put partisan considerations ahead of the national interest – and yet again, by voting against the Government’s motion, he is in effect voting to make no deal more likely.
“While we didn’t secure the support of the Commons this evening, the Prime Minister continues to believe, and the debate itself indicated, that far from objecting to securing changes to the backstop that will allow us to leave with a deal, there was a concern from some Conservative colleagues about taking no deal off the table at this stage.
“The motion on 29th January remains the only one the House of Commons has passed expressing what it does want – and that is legally binding changes to address concerns about the backstop. The Government will continue to pursue this with the EU to ensure we leave on time on 29th March.”
As it happened..
Tory MP Nick Boles, one of the leaders of a cross-party attempt to force the extension of Article 50 if no Brexit deal can be agreed, tweets...
Scottish Secretary David Mundell floats the prospect of another "meaningful vote" on the Brexit deal by the end of February...
Jeremy Corbyn says Theresa May must "admit her strategy has failed"...
NEW: Analysis of tonight's votes shows that 41 Labour MPs broke ranks to vote with the SNP in favour of extending Article 50.
They were joined by two Tory MPs: Ken Clarke and Sarah Wollaston.
Responding to the vote, a Downing Street spokesman said: “Jeremy Corbyn yet again put partisan considerations ahead of the national interest – and yet again, by voting against the Government’s motion, he is in effect voting to make no deal more likely.
“While we didn’t secure the support of the Commons this evening, the Prime Minister continues to believe, and the debate itself indicated, that far from objecting to securing changes to the backstop that will allow us to leave with a deal, there was a concern from some Conservative colleagues about taking no deal off the table at this stage.
“The motion on 29th January remains the only one the House of Commons has passed expressing what it does want – and that is legally binding changes to address concerns about the backstop. The Government will continue to pursue this with the EU to ensure we leave on time on 29th March.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: "The vote this evening demonstrates a complete failure of Theresa May's Tory government and parliament's rejection of more reckless time-wasting as they drag us closer and closer to the cliff edge.
"Theresa May's brinkmanship may seem to her as a clever tactic in trying to force MPs to support her deal, but tonight parliament rejected this ploy. The reality is the Prime Minister's political game in refusing to take no deal off the table is having a serious effect on people's day-to-day lives.
"The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a people's vote for over two years. Tonight's defeat of the government makes clear it is long overdue that the prime minister took no deal off the table, and offered the public a final say on Brexit with the option to remain in the EU."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments