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Brexit vote result: Theresa May's bid to get reheated deal through Commons ends in thumping defeat

Croaking prime minister confirms MPs will have chance on Wednesday to veto a no-deal Brexit

Rob Merrick
Deputy Political Editor
Tuesday 12 March 2019 20:22 GMT
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Theresa May's Brexit deal defeated in the House of Commons

Theresa May has suffered a second devastating defeat on her Brexit deal, which was rejected by MPs by a huge margin of 149.

Anti-EU Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party dealt the prime minister a hammer blow by rejecting her claim to have delivered changes to allow the UK to escape the Irish backstop.

Seconds after the defeat was announced, Ms May – croaking heavily, after losing her voice – confirmed MPs will have the chance on Wednesday to veto a no-deal Brexit.

She said Conservative MPs would be handed a free vote, after threats of ministerial resignations if a whip was imposed, but did not say how she would vote herself.

Ms May also said the Commons had to decide on the various Brexit options left open – including a second referendum on whether to leave the EU.

A total of 75 Conservatives voted against their government – well down on the 118 in January, but helping to inflict a defeat by 391 votes to 242.

Meanwhile, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, made clear there would be no fresh offer from Brussels to try to persuade MPs to change their minds.

“The EU has done everything it can to help get the Withdrawal Agreement over the line,” he tweeted.

“The impasse can only be solved in the #UK. Our “no-deal” preparations are now more important than ever before.”

In her statement, Ms May said she would publish trade tariffs for a no-deal and plans for the Northern Ireland border before tomorrow’s vote.

She told MPs: “If the House votes to leave without a deal on 29 March, it will be the policy of the government to implement that decision.

“If the House declines to approve leaving without a deal on 29 March, the government will, following that vote, bring forward a motion on Thursday on whether parliament wants to seek an extension to Article 50.

“If the House votes for an extension, the government will seek to agree that extension with the EU and bring forward the necessary legislation to change the exit date commensurate with that extension.”

The prime minister implored MPs to recognise that “voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face”.

“The EU will want to know what use we mean to make of such an extension,” she warned.

“This House will have to answer that question. Does it wish to revoke Article 50? Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal but not this deal?

“These are unenviable choices, but thanks to the decision the House has made this evening they must now be faced.”

Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would again table an amendment for its alternative Brexit plan, saying: “The government has been defeated again by an enormous majority and it must accept its deal is clearly dead.”

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