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As it happenedended

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 

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 16 January 2019 17:59 EST
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Theresa May delivers statement outside Number 10 Downing Street following second vote of confidence in her government

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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.

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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:

The PM's spokesman also said she would meet with Eurosceptic MPs in her own party, who accepted an invitation, on Thursday.

Lizzy Buchan16 January 2019 20:21

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that he is "deeply disappointed that Conservative MPs have put political interest above the national interest" in tonight's vote.

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 20:30

Labour has refused to rule out another no confidence vote but Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman refused to comment further on timing.

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 20:47

"As Theresa May’s fate is laid bare, the wizard’s curtain behind which Jeremy Corbyn has hidden for so long is being pulled back"

Read Tom Peck's sketch on tonight's no confidence vote here: 

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 20:54

Theresa May will give a statement outside Downing Street shortly after 10pm.

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 21:06

Pound sterling has held steady against other currencies after Theresa May's government won a no confidence vote.

"She survived on a party-line vote, so we're not seeing much reaction in sterling to the outcome. Where we go from here is obviously an open question," said Daniel Katzive, head of foreign exchange strategy for North America at BNP Paribas.

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 21:22

Labour MPs pushing for a new referendum will try to force Jeremy Corbyn into backing one, by supporting a commons motion for a fresh public vote as early as next week.

Read more, from our political editor Joe Watts, here:

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 21:34

Ian Blackford, the SNP's leader in Westminster, has said that Scottish nationalists need "a clear indication of willingness on the side of the Government" for proposed cross-party talks to form genuine negotiations.

In a letter to Theresa May, released after they met on Wednesday night, he added: "Discussions around cosmetic changes to your deal, which has now been rejected by Parliament will not move this matter forward."

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 21:49

Theresa May is speaking outside Downing Street

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 22:02

"This evening the government has won the confidence of parliament," the prime minister said outside Downing Street.

"I believe it is my duty to deliver on the British people's instruction to leave the EU."

Theresa May invited MPs from all parties "to come together to find a way forward" on Brexit.

"This is now the time to put self interest aside," she said.

Zamira Rahim16 January 2019 22:06

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