Government faces vote of no confidence after historic Brexit defeat

A vote of no confidence in the Government is to be held tomorrow after Theresa May suffered a catastrophic defeat in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit deal was defeated by a historic margin of 230.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn immediately tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government which will be debated tomorrow afternoon.

MPs overwhelmingly rejected the PM’s agreement by 432 votes to 202, one of the worst defeats ever suffered by a UK Government in Parliament.

Theresa May will head back to Brussels in yet another attempt to secure concessions from the EU on the deal.

Theresa May said the vote has made it clear MPs do not support the deal.

She added: “Tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support, nothing about how or even if it intends to honour the decision that people took in a referendum.

“EU citizens here and UK citizens in the EU deserve clarity as soon as possible, as do businesses and ordinary people.”

Jeremy Corbyn said the result is the largest defeat for a government since the 1920s.

He added that after two years of negotiations the verdict is “absolutely decisive”.

He added the Prime Minister is only trying to reach out now “after it has been so roundly rejected by Parliament”.

Mr Corbyn said: “No deal must be taken off the table, a permanent customs union must be secured, and people’s rights and protections must be guaranteed.

“The PM has closed the door on dialogue. In the last two years, she’s had only one priority, the Conservative Party.”

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:“Every business will feel no deal is hurtling closer.

“A new plan is needed immediately. This is now a time for our politicians to make history as leaders. All MPs need to reflect on the need for compromise and to act at speed to protect the UK’s economy.”

Paul Faulkner

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Regardless of where businesses stand on the issue of Brexit, no one supports a messy and chaotic exit from the EU.

“The window for businesses to plan and prepare for Brexit is already slim and businesses need real answers now.

“Despite all of the uncertainty in recent months, businesses in the region continue to show resilience and confidence. In fact our latest Quarterly Business Report survey shows over 60 per cent of local firms expect to increase their turnover in the next 12 months.

“They are delivering on creating jobs and supporting the economy. It’s time for the Government to deliver, remove this unnecessary uncertainty and deliver a solution with the Parliamentary support it needs to put an end to this stalemate.”