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Brexit vote: Jeremy Corbyn tables vote of no confidence after May suffers historic defeat – Politics live Brexit vote: Jeremy Corbyn tables vote of no confidence after May suffers historic defeat – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, has welcomed the result of tonight’s vote. In a statment she said:
By rejecting the withdrawal agreement, parliament has acted in the best interests of the entire United Kingdom.
The House of Commons has sent an unmistakable message to the prime minister and the European Union that this deal is rejected.
Mrs May will now be able to demonstrate to the Brussels’ negotiators that changes are required if any deal is to command the support of parliament ...
Reassurances whether in the form of letters or warm words, will not be enough. The prime minister must now go back to the European Union and seek fundamental change to the withdrawal agreement.
A source from the European Research Group, which is chaired by Jacob Rees-Mogg and which represents Tory MPs pushing for a harder Brexit, says of course they will vote for Theresa May in the confidence motion – even though they were prominent in voting against the deal tonight.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said the SNP supports Jeremy Corbyn’s confidence motion.
Describing the vote as “a defeat of historic proportions for the prime minister and her government”, Sturgeon said:
It has been crystal clear for months that the prime minister’s approach was heading for a crushing defeat. Instead of facing up to that fact, she wasted valuable time with her postponement of the meaningful vote in December. There is no more time to waste.
She went on to call for the article 50 process to be halted “urgently” and that legislation be brought to hold a second referendum on EU membership.
Sturgeon added:
The SNP supports the tabled vote of no-confidence in the government – but regardless of who leads the government, the reality is that a second EU referendum, with the option of remain on the ballot paper, is now the only credible option to avoid untold damage to the economy and the prospects of future generations.
It is also the only option, within the UK, that would allow Scotland’s democratic wish to remain in Europe to be respected.
Here is some footage from the People’s Vote rally at Westminster, showing what happened when the result of the vote was announced.
Scenes from the People's Vote rally as @theresa_may #Brexit deal was voted in the @HouseofCommons #Westminster @itvnews pic.twitter.com/dq2Vp1LI68
Ding Dong the deal is dead!!! #BrexitVote pic.twitter.com/gGkM6z3ptT
Campaigners are cheering because they think the result increases the chances of Brexit being cancelled, or at least being made much softer. That is probably a fair assessment, although it would be a mistake to think that this vote comes anything close to settling the issue, and what will happen next remains very uncertain.
Here are the figures for how the parties voted on Theresa May’s deal:
For the deal – 202
Conservatives: 196
Labour: 3 (Ian Austin, Sir Kevin Barron and John Mann)
Independents: 3 (Frank Field, Lady Hermon, and Stephen Lloyd)
Against the deal – 432
Labour: 248
Conservatives: 118
SNP: 35
Lib Dems: 11
DUP: 10
Independents: 5 (Kelvin Hopkins, Ivan Lewis, Jared O’Mara, Fiona Onasanya, and John Woodcock)
Plaid Cymru: 4
Greens: 1
Majority against – 230
Tonight’s defeat is the biggest government defeat in the democratic era.
This graphic shows some of the others, for comparison.
The DUP has confirmed that it will vote for the government in the no-confidence motion, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports.
BREAKING: DUP statement"We will support the government in confidence vote". Ends
Here is the full text of Theresa May’s statement to MPs about 20 minutes ago about what will happen next. She said:
Mr Speaker, the house has spoken and the government will listen.
It is clear that the house does not support this deal. But tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support. Nothing about how – or even if – it intends to honour the decision the British people took in a referendum parliament decided to hold.
People, particularly EU citizens who have made their home here and UK citizens living in the EU, deserve clarity on these questions as soon as possible. Those whose jobs rely on our trade with the EU need that clarity. So with your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to set out briefly how the government intends to proceed.
First, we need to confirm whether this government still enjoys the confidence of the house. I believe that it does, but given the scale and importance of tonight’s vote it is right that others have the chance to test that question if they wish to do so. I can therefore confirm that if the official opposition table a confidence motion this evening in the form required by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, the government will make time to debate that motion tomorrow. And if, as happened before Christmas, the official opposition decline to do so, we will – on this occasion - consider making time tomorrow to debate any motion in the form required from the other opposition parties, should they put one forward.
Second, if the house confirms its confidence in this government I will then hold meetings with my colleagues, our confidence and supply partner the DUP and senior parliamentarians from across the house to identify what would be required to secure the backing of the house. The government will approach these meetings in a constructive spirit, but given the urgent need to make progress, we must focus on ideas that are genuinely negotiable and have sufficient support in this house.
Third, if these meetings yield such ideas, the government will then explore them with the European Union.
Mr Speaker, I want to end by offering two reassurances.
The first is to those who fear that the government’s strategy is to run down the clock to 29 March. That is not our strategy. I have always believed that the best way forward is to leave in an orderly way with a good deal and have devoted much of the last two years negotiating such a deal. As you confirmed, Mr Speaker, the amendment to the business motion tabled last week by [Dominic Grieve] is not legally binding, but the government respects the will of the house. We will therefore make a statement about the way forward and table an amendable motion by Monday.
The second reassurance is to the British people, who voted to leave the European Union in the referendum two and a half years ago. I became prime minister immediately after that referendum. I believe it is my duty to deliver on their instruction and I intend to do so.
Mr Speaker, every day that passes without this issue being resolved means more uncertainty, more bitterness and more rancour. The government has heard what the house has said tonight, but I ask members on all sides of the house to listen to the British people, who want this issue settled, and to work with the government to do just that.
This is from Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission.This is from Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission.
I take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the @HouseofCommons this evening. I urge the #UK to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up #Brexit https://t.co/SMmps5kexnI take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the @HouseofCommons this evening. I urge the #UK to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up #Brexit https://t.co/SMmps5kexn
A spokesman for the European council president, Donald Tusk, said:A spokesman for the European council president, Donald Tusk, said:
We regret the outcome of the vote, and urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to next steps as soon as possible.We regret the outcome of the vote, and urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to next steps as soon as possible.
The EU27 will remain united and responsible as we have been throughout the entire process and will seek to reduce the damage caused by Brexit.The EU27 will remain united and responsible as we have been throughout the entire process and will seek to reduce the damage caused by Brexit.
We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including a no-deal scenario. The risk of a disorderly exit has increased with this vote, and while we do not want this to happen, we will be prepared for it.We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including a no-deal scenario. The risk of a disorderly exit has increased with this vote, and while we do not want this to happen, we will be prepared for it.
We will continue the EU’s process of ratification of the agreement reached with the UK government. This agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.We will continue the EU’s process of ratification of the agreement reached with the UK government. This agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, has just told MPs that the Commons will vote on the no confidence motion at 7pm tomorrow.Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, has just told MPs that the Commons will vote on the no confidence motion at 7pm tomorrow.
One hundred and 18 Conservatives voted against the government on Brexit. Sky’s Faisal Islam has the figures, from the CommonsVotes app.One hundred and 18 Conservatives voted against the government on Brexit. Sky’s Faisal Islam has the figures, from the CommonsVotes app.
My word. 118 Tory MPs voted against their PM pic.twitter.com/Je1PWDOtaUMy word. 118 Tory MPs voted against their PM pic.twitter.com/Je1PWDOtaU
In the Commons, the Labour MP Yvette Cooper asks John Bercow what MPs can be done to ensure article 50 is extended.In the Commons, the Labour MP Yvette Cooper asks John Bercow what MPs can be done to ensure article 50 is extended.
Bercow says, if MPs call for a vote, he will ensure it happens.Bercow says, if MPs call for a vote, he will ensure it happens.
Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, has posted this on Twitter. He seems to be urging the UK to consider cancelling Brexit.Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, has posted this on Twitter. He seems to be urging the UK to consider cancelling Brexit.
If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?
Philippa Whitford, the SNP MP, and a doctor, says it is “shocking” that Tulip Siddiq had to delay a caesarian section today, against the advice of her doctors, because the Commons does not allow proxy voting for MPs in her position. Philippa Whitford, the SNP MP, and a doctor, says it is “shocking” that Tulip Siddiq had to delay a caesarean section today, against the advice of her doctors, because the Commons does not allow proxy voting for MPs in her position.
John Bercow, the Speaker, says he said yesterday that that was “lamentable”, and that he is happy to say that again.John Bercow, the Speaker, says he said yesterday that that was “lamentable”, and that he is happy to say that again.
Here is the no-confidence motion.
. @jeremycorbyn has tabled a no confidence motion in the Government after their historic defeat on Theresa May’s deal. The Government have confirmed that this will be debated and voted upon tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/c1hdmLuKrB
Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, tries to make a business statement, but John Bercow, the Speaker, wants to take points of order first.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says the SNP will support the no-confidence motion.
Jeremy Corbyn is speaking now. He says this was the biggest defeat for a government since the 1920s.
He says the government has consistently failed to reach out to other parties.
He says the government should accept that the UK will stay in the customs union for good, that a no-deal Brexit is not an option and that the rights of EU nationals will be accepted.
He says he has tabled a motion of no confidence. It will be debated tomorrow, he says, so MPs can express their views about the incompetence of the government.
Theresa May is making a statement to MPs now.
She says the result tells us what MPs do not want, but not what they want. She says she will first ensure MPs can see if they still have confidence in the government. If Jeremy Corbyn tables a no-confidence motion, it will get debated tomorrow. And if he does not, the government will allow other opposition parties to table a motion.
May says MPs will get the chance to debate a motion of no-confidence tomorrow.
She says she will then hold talks with the other parties to see what solution might be acceptable.
And she says she will go back to the EU to consider new plans.
May says she will hold talks with the opposition parties about an alternative Brexit approach.
Theresa May’s plan has been rejected by votes to 432 votes to 202 – a majority of 230.
And these are from Labour’s Ellie Reeves.
Just voted against Theresa May’s horrendous deal. Voting lobby absolutely packed, doesn’t seem there is much support for it in Parliament let alone the Country. pic.twitter.com/yO7Lz6T8aG
These are from Labour’s Faisal Rashid.
Historic moment @AngelaRayner @JoPlattMP pic.twitter.com/iMpOk6kO8W
And this is from Labour’s Khalid Mahmood.
The No lobby pic.twitter.com/huBwMUtdoy
And this is from Labour’s Thelma Walker.
Going through the lobby now #Brexit @EmmaHardyMP pic.twitter.com/dfjx5RXTHH
The SNP’s Carol Monaghan has tweeted this from the no lobby.
The “No” lobby is mobbed. Think we can safely say the Prime Minister’s #Brexit deal is sunk. pic.twitter.com/lWuiNkA0RN