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:
Tory grandee Ken Clarke says the only majority in the House is against leaving with no-deal, in favour of extending article 50 and of some form of customs union. Some Tory MPs boo at that.
He says May must accept that she must modify her red lines from her Lancaster House speech.
May says there are a lot of views and that's why she will be holding discussions with other MPs. The government's policy is to leave the EU on March 29. The EU will only extend article 50 if there is a clear point to doing it.
Bit of reaction here from journalists watching the clash. It's a bit of a muddled picture.
Tory Philip Lee, a former minister, says she cannot continue with the same plan and does she accept she must change course.
May says she will establish what the views of parliamentarians are.
SNP MP Stewart Malcom MacDonald asks which of her red lines she will drop.
May says she will enter talks in a constructive way.
Ronnie Campbell, a Labour veteran, says huge numbers of people are living in poverty and urges her to call a general election.
May says number of people living in absolute poverty is at a record low. Her government has lowered taxes and helped workers.
Labour's David Crausby asks about police cuts and says officers are not always able to attend incidents in his constituency.
May says money has been available and the government has made sure police have the powers to keep people safe.
Tory former minister Nicky Morgan says everyone needs to maintain flexibility to find a way to deliver Brexit.
May says she will deliver on Brexit.
SNP's Carol Monaghan says she doesn't want to alarm May but she had a question at David Cameron's final PMQs too.
She asks about guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens.
May said she is committed to doing that, and that was in her Brexit deal which was voted down last night.
Ian Lucas asks if she discussed difficulties at Wylfa nuclear power station in Wales with the Japanese PM last week.
May says she did but the decision is for Hitachi, the company behind it. The government want to keep nuclear as part of the energy mix.
Vince Cable says the Lib Dems have "a record of working with others in the national interest". He says she should not bother picking up the phone to other parties unless she is prepared to rule out no deal or consider a second referendum.
May says she is happy to have constructive talks with politicians who will put the national interest first - but sadly many won't.
Sarah Wollaston, the Tory chair of the Health Committee, asks her to prevent a "crash and burn Brexit" and extend article 50.
May says no.
And that's it for the week.
There have been a couple of interesting points of order.
Tory MP Huw Merriman asks about sanctions are for MPs who breached Commons rules by publishing photos from inside parliament during the Brexit vote.
John Bercow says he has already made a statement about the rules - which forbid anyone from taking pictures on the estate. He says he "keeps a beady eye on offenders".
Conservative Anna Soubry says a staff member of hers was called a "spineless c***" on the way into parliament and police must protect staff.
Mr Bercow says he will raise the incident mentioned with the police.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments