Brexit no-confidence vote: Theresa May makes speech outside Downing Street after surviving attempt to bring down her government
MPs voted along party lines during the vote
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 appealed for other political parties to work with her on Brexit, after avoiding a dramatic bid to topple her government in the wake of the historic Commons defeat of her Brexit deal.
MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyn's motion of no confidence in the government by a margin of 325 to 306 after Tory Brexiteers and the DUP rowed in behind the prime minister.
Ms May's narrow reprieve came less than 24 hours after the crushing defeat of her Brexit deal in the Commons, and now paves the way for cross-party talks on a plan B.
Conservative rebels and members of the Democratic Unionist Party who consigned the PM to the worst defeat in parliamentary history on Wednesday rallied behind her to see off the threat of a general election.
Welcoming the result, Ms May told the Commons: “I am pleased that this house has expressed its confidence in the government.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly and my government will continue its work to increase our prosperity, guarantee our security and to strengthen our union."
She invited opposition leaders to meet her for late-night talks on Wednesday, saying she "stands ready to work with any member of this House to deliver on Brexit".
The move triggered an immediate row as Mr Corbyn's spokesman said he would not meet Ms May unless she ruled out a no-deal Brexit.
It comes after a dramatic day in the Commons, where opposition MPs lined up to rubbish Ms May's administration and decry the lack of support for her central policy - the Brexit deal.
The Labour leader said her "zombie government" was unable to govern and declared her "Frankenstein" Brexit deal officially dead.
"There can’t be meaningful talks about how to find a deal that reflects the majority in parliament and that can command a majority in parliament while the threat of no deal, which would be disastrous for the country ... is still on the table. That must come off the table", his spokesperson later said.
If you would like to see how the vote unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
Everything you need to know about tonight's vote of no confidence
David Cameron has said he "does not regret" calling the Brexit referendum which led to the vote to leave the EU.
The former Tory prime minister told the BBC: "It was a promise I made two years before the 2015 general election, it was included in a manifesto, it was legislated for in parliament.
"Obviously I regret that we lost that referendum. I deeply regret that.
"I was leading the campaign to stay in the European Union and obviously I regret the difficulties and problems we have been having in trying to implement the result of that referendum."
He added: "I support the PM, I support her aim to have a partnership deal with Europe. That what needs to be put in place. That is what Parliament needs to try to deliver now."
Paradoxically, Theresa May’s devastating Brexit defeat makes life harder for Jeremy Corbyn, writes the Indy's Andrew Grice.
Read his column here:
Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve has tabled two bills today to prepare the government for a fresh referendum.
He said: "Holding a public vote is now essential as the only credible way out of the current crisis.
"The public should be allowed to decide on any deal to take us out of the European Union and be given the alternative to remain if they wish.”
Here's our story from the weekend on the plans:
Back in the Commons, DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said his party would support Ms May tonight.
He said: "We believe it's in the national interest to support the government at this time so the aims and objectives of the confidence and supply agreement we entered into can be achieved. Much work remains to be done on those matters.
"I don't think the people in this country would rejoice at the prospect tonight if a general election were to be called. I'm not convinced that a general election would significantly change the composition of the House and of course it doesn't change, whatever the outcome, it doesn't change the choices that lie before us all.
"The timing of this motion, as we well know, has got much more to do with the internal dynamics of the Labour Party than a genuine presentation of an alternative programme for Government. So we will support the Government tonight, this evening on this motion so that the Prime Minister has more time and has the space to focus now on acting in the national interest on Brexit.
"And it's important that the Prime Minister now does listen and does deliver a Brexit that ensures that the whole of the UK leaves the EU together."
The Irish government would impose checks on goods crossing the Northern Ireland border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to a leaked recording of the country’s deputy prime minister.
The opposition has seized on the admission, warning that there was now a “private understanding” in government that a hard border with the UK was increasingly likely.
Independent MP John Woodcock has said he may abstain on the confidence vote this evening, rather than voting alongside his former Labour colleagues.
Speaking in the Commons, he said: “The public deserve so much better than this choice in the broken political system they are being given.
“They deserve leadership to right the terrible injustices that have been inflicted on our communities…and they deserve a government and leadership they can trust to keep them secure.”
The Barrow and Furness MP took issue with Jeremy Corbyn's position on the nuclear deterrent.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell the house that I cannot support the no confidence motion tonight.
“Some of my friends mutter disgrace. I heart some of them tutting.
"I have to say that many of them have said, “Thank God that you have the freedom to actually not support this”, because they are wrestling with their consciences of wanting desperately a Labour government but knowing that the leader of their party is as unfit to lead the country as he was when they voted against him in the no confidence motion of the party those years ago.”
The SNP has denied reports that they were preparing to join forces with the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru against future no confidence votes in the government.
While the prime minister has been defended by Tory MPs and the DUP, she's endured a drubbing from the opposition benches.
Jeremy Corbyn urged May's "zombie government" to make way and declared her "Frankenstein" Brexit deal officially dead as MPs debated a no confidence motion.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper said the prime minister was acting as if her deal had been "defeated by 30 and not 230" votes, and accused her of failing to be open to new ideas.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader said Ms May could “only dream of being in a situation where she has a majority” and said the prime minister was “captured by her right wing Brexiteers”.
Remainer Tory MP Anna Soubry criticised Mrs May for "pandering" to Brexiteer Conservatives and asked her to "rub out her red lines and work with everybody", adding a general election would be "grossly wrong".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments