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Brexit vote result - LIVE: Jeremy Corbyn tables vote of no confidence in Theresa May that could bring down government after historic 230-vote Commons defeat

Follow live updates from Westminster 

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
,Ashley Cowburn,Lizzy Buchan
Tuesday 15 January 2019 22:53 GMT
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MPs reject Theresa May's Brexit deal in overwhelming 432-202 majority

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MPs overwhelmingly rejected Theresa May’s divorce deal with the EU on Tuesday evening, plunging the Brexit process into chaos.

The defeat was widely expected, but the scale of the House of Commons’ vote – 432 votes against the government and 202 in support – was devastating for Ms May’s fragile leadership.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn put forward a confidence motion in the aftermath of the crushing loss, which made history as the biggest ever government defeat on the floor of the House of Commons.

The defeat by 230 votes easily beat the previous record of 166 votes, set in 1924 by the minority Labour government of Ramsay MacDonald.

Parliament finally delivered its verdict on the prime minister’s withdrawal agreement after months of debate, as crowds of both Leave and Remain protesters gathered outside parliament to express their anger.

Ms May insisted she intended to stay on, setting out plans for talks with senior parliamentarians in the hope of finding “genuinely negotiable” solutions which she can take to Brussels.

But she faces another crucial vote on Wednesday after the Labour leader moved to table a formal motion of no confidence in her government.

Senior ministers reportedly told top business leaders that a motion to delay the Article 50 process of leaving the EU is being prepared in a conference call following the vote defeat.

To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below:

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 11:38

Speaking at an event in central London, DUP leader Arlene Foster says Theresa May must go back to Brussels and tell the EU that "the backstop has to go" because "it separates Northern Ireland in a very real and tangible way".

The backstop "does violence to the union", she says.

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 11:49

Arlene Foster claims Theresa May ignored the DUP's demands that she ditch the backstop from the withdrawal agreement.

She says:

"We said to the prime minister she had to get rid of the backstop and get a withdrawal agreement that can be lived with.

"I don't think she even asked to get rid of the backstop."

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:01

Theresa May's former director of legislative affairs says it is unusual for John Bercow not to announce in advance which amendments he plans to call tonight. 

We won't know the Speaker's decision until he announces it in the Commons chamber in around 12.45pm...

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:11

Theresa May will be hoping to avoid the biggest Commons defeat ever tonight - the 166 endured by Ramsay MacDonald in 1924. He's a handy graphic courtesy of PA:

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:16

The cabinet reportedly had a long discussion this morning on how the government should respond if Theresa May's deal is rejected tonight. 

Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, called for an "indicative vote" to rule out a no-deal Brexit but the suggestion was opposed by Brexiteer ministers.

Brandon Lewis, the Conservative Party chairman, reportedly warned the prime minister not to try to seek Labour's support for an alternative plan.

"The party wouldn’t wear it,” he told her.

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:30

Theresa May has held her final cabinet meeting before the meaningful vote on her Brexit deal, writes political editor Joe Watts.

In a media briefing afterwards, her spokesman was predictably tight-lipped about exactly what was discussed, but he did say comments covered the build-up to the vote, the vote itself and its aftermath.

Ms May will “move quickly” to make a statement after the result comes out, and she will do this from the despatch box in the House of Commons rather than going back to do it on the steps of Downing Street.

The prime minister’s spokesman would not engage in what she would do after, but comments he highlighted from the cabinet discussion pointed towards Ms May pressing ahead with her deal.

The prime minister told ministers that “the government is a servant of the people” and that she believes “passionately, that we must deliver on the result of the 2016 referendum”.

Claims she might resign were brushed aside fairly confidently.

The spokesman did not deny that the idea of indicative votes was discussed by the cabinet, but would not go into details of conversations.

Ms May will be meeting further MPs to try and convince them of her deal’s merits throughout the day.

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:45

John Bercow is expected to announce any minute now which amendments, if any, he has called on tonight's Brexit vote...

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:55

NEW: John Bercow says he has selected FOUR amendments: one Labour, one SNP and two from Tory backbenchers.

They are:

Amendment A, tabled by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) - Rejects the deal because it does not meet Labour’s criteria, including a customs union and strong single market relationship. Says government should “pursue every option” for avoiding no-deal or leaving on the terms of May’s deal.

Amendment B, tabled by Sir Edward Leigh (Conservative) - States that a permanent backstop would constitute a change in circumstances compared to those in the Withdrawal Agreement and that this would give the UK the right to withdraw from it. Asks the government to confirm it would do so if this was the case.

Amendment F, tabled by John Baron (Conservative) - Says the deal should only be approved if the UK has the right to exit the backstop without the agreement of the EU.

Amendment K, tabled by Ian Blackford (SNP) - Rejects the deal, citing opposition from the devolved assemblies, and calls for an extension of Article 50.

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:59

Sir Vince Cable has said Theresa May must call a fresh public vote if her deal is rejected by MPs

Benjamin Kentish15 January 2019 12:59

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