Brexit vote: How newspapers covered parliament's night of farce

Another tumultuous day in British politics has unsurprisingly dominated the front pages of newspapers.

Theresa May's promise to resign and MPs' rejection of all eight alternative Brexit options lead coverage in almost all of the UK's nationals.

The Independent leads on Ms May's vow to step down if Brexiteers back her withdrawal agreement, and urges her successor to call a second referendum.

"The British people, not the Tory party or even our MPs, are the ones who will have to sort this out," it adds.

The Guardian sums up the result of the indicative votes in a headline declaring: “Parliament finally has its say: No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.”

Several papers describe the situation as “chaos”, with the Daily Telegraph warning of more uncertainty despite Ms May's pledge to quit.

Praising her for a “Herculean effort” in trying to achieve Brexit, the paper suggests the PM is likely to resign on 22 May if her deal is passed.

“But there are still many obstacles to be negotiated on the way to that outcome,” it warns. “Even at this stage, on the eve of what should have been Brexit Day, so much is still unresolved.”

The Times is more optimistic, suggesting her offer to stand down “holds out the possibility of a brighter future”.

“The priority will be to find a prime minister with the energy and ideas to tackle the challenges facing the nation, challenges that have been neglected on Mrs May's watch,” the paper says in its leader. “The country will want a dynamic reformer who can bring Britain together, not another divisive figure who has helped to drive it apart.

“Above all, they will want a person who can lead.”

Unwavering in its support of Ms May, the Daily Express describes the PM's sacrifice as a “selfless gesture” and a “valiant attempt to break the Brexit deadlock”.

It asks what more the prime minister has to do in its front page headline and in its leader the paper hails her as a leader of “integrity, intelligence, courage and self-sacrifice in the face of adversity, desertion and challenge”.

“Her willingness to hand over the reins is further evidence of the PM's humility, dignity and wisdom - qualities her critics sorely lack,” it adds. “Our political class should learn from her towering example. It is time for those from all parties to put the British people first by voting for her deal and enshrining it in law without delay.”

The Daily Mail also shows its backing for the PM and praises her for “doing what she thought right for her party and her country, regardless of personal cost” and urges Tory MPs not to let her “sacrifice” be in vain.

“Buffeted and battered by a fractious and divided Cabinet, obstructive backbenchers, a capricious and venal Europe, and a spiteful Opposition, she has behaved throughout with dignity,” the paper writes.

The Mail attacks the Commons for taking control of the Brexit agenda, lamenting that the outcome of the votes “added to the confusion”.

“But be under no illusion. The purpose of these measures was to dilute or kill off Brexit,” it warns.

The Sun says Mrs May's dedication as a public servant “cannot be doubted”, adding: “Brexit will only happen now if enough MPs swallow their pride and stand up, as Mrs May has, for our democracy.”

The Daily Mirror is less complimentary of the PM, and describes her premiership as an “inglorious spell in Downing Street”.

Her promise to resign was “the act of someone who long ago should have accepted they lacked the skills, temperament and imagination for the top job”, it says.

“She will be remembered as a leader whose mishandling of the Brexit process inflamed divisions, while leaving the country facing an uncertain future,” it adds.