Brexit news - live: Tory MP quits in disgust after Commons votes to reject every single suggested way forward
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Your support makes all the difference.MPs have rejected all alternative Brexit options put forward in indicative votes as one Tory MP quit seconds after results were announced claiming the party “refuses to compromise”.
The Commons turned down options to pursue a Common Market solution, a second referendum and the revocation of Article 50. A Customs Union proposed by Ken Clarke was rejected by just three votes.
Moments after the vote took place, Tory MP Nick Boles resigned the party whip claiming his colleagues “refuse to compromise”. His Common Market 2.0 proposal had been defeated 261 votes to 282, with 228 Conservatives voting against.
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Public splits between rival cabinet ministers had deepened earlier in the day ahead of the key votes.
Tory chief whip Julian Smith said the government should have accepted earlier that it would “inevitably” need to settle on a softer Brexit, but Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said such an outcome would be “incredibly problematic”.
Mr Smith also hit out at his cabinet colleagues, saying they were the “worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history”.
Anyone seeking clarity on what will happen at Westminster this week should look somewhere other than the Monday morning No 10 briefing with journalists, writes deputy political editor Rob Merrick.
Downing Street’s position is that the prime minister will await tonight’s second round of “indicative votes” – in particular whether any alternative Brexit plan achieves a majority - before setting out her next steps.
The way forward is also unlikely to emerge before Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, at which ministers for and against a softer Brexit will attempt to push Theresa May in their direction.
However, another “meaningful vote” is unlikely to take place on Tuesday, because a motion would have to be tabled tonight, before the cabinet has discussed the crisis tomorrow.
It could take place on Wednesday or Thursday, but only, Ms May’s spokesman insisted again, if there is a “realistic prospect of success”.
Here's the full video message on antisemitism that Gordon Brown has recorded for anti-racism group Hope Not Hate
NEW: Conservative MPs will be given a free vote during tonight's indicative votes on Brexit but cabinet ministers will be forced to abstain, as they were last week, according to Downing Street sources.
This is significant. Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, a hardline Eurosceptic and one of the strongest critics of Theresa May's deal, has suggested he could vote against the government in a no confidence vote if the prime minister agrees to negotiate a softer Brexit.
Asked on BBC's Politics Live whether he could vote for a no confidence motion tabled by Jeremy Corbyn if Ms May agrees to negotiate a customs union with the EU, he said:
"I'm hoping not to reach that point. As a Conservative member of parliament I would expect always to vote with the government in a confidence motion.
At this point I can foresee no circumstances while as a Conservative MP I voted against the government in a confidence motion.
But we are approaching the point where the stakes are now so very high and so transcend party politics and what this country is about and the fundamental British value that political power rests on consent that I think these things are coming on to the table.
It's on the table - there's no point denying that things are running away."
Downing Street has insisted that Theresa May has "full confidence" in Conservative chief whip Julian Smith, despite his suggestion that the government should have admitted earlier that it would "inevitably" have to agree to a softer Brexit after it lost its majority at the 2017 general election.
Mr Smith also angered colleagues on Monday by claiming that current ministers had displayed the "worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history."
Asked whether the chief whip was right to say the government should have changed policy earlier, Ms May's official spokesman told this morning's Westminster media briefing:
"In a number of speeches, the prime minister made it clear that there was a need to bring the country back together after the Brexit vote. That's what she's been working to achieve."
Asked if the prime minister shared Mr Smith's frustration at the cabinet, he said:
"The prime minister has said on any number of occasions that this is a subject which brings out strong emotions in MPs on all sides of the debate.
"I think what's important is that everybody in Government continues to work towards the goal of delivering on the referendum verdict."
"I will leave it to historians to make their judgments on history."
The Independent Group's interim leader, Heidi Allen, has said that talking publicly about her abortion was 'absolutely' the right thing to do. The MP was visibly upset when she discussed the issue on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire Show this morning.
MPs will today debate in parliament whether or not Brexit should be indefinitely delayed by revoking Article 50.
The debate comes after a public petition demanding the unilateral move by the government surpassed six million signatories.
MPs will discuss it alongside alternative routes advocated in other petitions including holding a second referendum and leaving with no deal at all.
Appearing on BBC Politics, the digital minister Margot James was asked if the government would abide by the will of the House of Commons if a majority of MPs backed a customs union in tonight's indicative votes. "I hope so," she replied.
"I think that although we are in strange times, I do hope that the government will listen to parliament and act upon its recommendation.
"I do think, though, that it is still quite legitimate for the government to bring the prime minister's deal back, possibly amended in such a way that would attract more votes to its cause
MPs are expected to cast their ballots this evening for a series of Brexit options, as the House of Commons takes part in a second round of indicative votes.
Aimed at breaking the impasse over Brexit in Westminster, MPs will once again take control of the order paper after their first attempt failed to attract a majority for one route.
John Bercow, the Commons speaker, will decide which motions from those tabled will go forward to a vote around 6pm, and results are not expected to be announced until 10pm.
Here The Independent looks at the eight motions on the order paper.
NEW: Labour has said it will instruct its MPs to vote for the Common Market 2.0 motion tabled by Tory ex-minister Nick Boles during tonight's indicative votes.
It raises the prospect that the plan, which would involve the UK staying in the single market until a new trade deal could be agreed with the EU, could pass.
Jeremy Corbyn will also order his MPs to support proposals for:
- a customs union with the EU
- a "confirmatory referendum" on any Brexit deal approved by parliament
- a public referendum before any no-deal Brexit
A Labour spokesperson said:
"In line with our policy, we're supporting motions to keep options on the table to prevent a damaging Tory deal or no deal, build consensus across the House to break the deadlock and deliver an outcome that can work for the whole country.''
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