Brexit no-confidence vote: Theresa May makes speech outside Downing Street after surviving attempt to bring down her government
MPs voted along party lines during the vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has appealed for other political parties to work with her on Brexit, after avoiding a dramatic bid to topple her government in the wake of the historic Commons defeat of her Brexit deal.
MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyn's motion of no confidence in the government by a margin of 325 to 306 after Tory Brexiteers and the DUP rowed in behind the prime minister.
Ms May's narrow reprieve came less than 24 hours after the crushing defeat of her Brexit deal in the Commons, and now paves the way for cross-party talks on a plan B.
Conservative rebels and members of the Democratic Unionist Party who consigned the PM to the worst defeat in parliamentary history on Wednesday rallied behind her to see off the threat of a general election.
Welcoming the result, Ms May told the Commons: “I am pleased that this house has expressed its confidence in the government.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly and my government will continue its work to increase our prosperity, guarantee our security and to strengthen our union."
She invited opposition leaders to meet her for late-night talks on Wednesday, saying she "stands ready to work with any member of this House to deliver on Brexit".
The move triggered an immediate row as Mr Corbyn's spokesman said he would not meet Ms May unless she ruled out a no-deal Brexit.
It comes after a dramatic day in the Commons, where opposition MPs lined up to rubbish Ms May's administration and decry the lack of support for her central policy - the Brexit deal.
The Labour leader said her "zombie government" was unable to govern and declared her "Frankenstein" Brexit deal officially dead.
"There can’t be meaningful talks about how to find a deal that reflects the majority in parliament and that can command a majority in parliament while the threat of no deal, which would be disastrous for the country ... is still on the table. That must come off the table", his spokesperson later said.
If you would like to see how the vote unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
Just a quick reminder about the timetable for today:
1130 Scotland questions
1200 Prime Minister's Questions
1245 A 10-minute rule motion on Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition)
1300 Government no confidence motion
1900 Vote on no confidence motion
Theresa May will not ask Jeremy Corbyn to help her find a route of her Brexit crisis because he has “nothing to say”, a cabinet minister has suggested.
Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, appeared to rule out the Labour leader being among the “senior parliamentarians” the prime minister has promised to contact, after the crushing defeat of her deal.
The rejection came as John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, accused Ms May of wrecking any hope of a cross-party compromise by laying down immediate red lines for any talks.
Story here:
The question on everyone's lips is what on earth happens next? Luckily, we've written a handy explainer of where we are with Brexit and how the events of yesterday have shaped the process.
Education secretary Damian Hinds has said there is a possibility that civil servants from his department will have to temporarily move to other departments in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Our education correspondent Eleanor Busby is watching the Commons Education Committee, where he is now discussing Brexit.
Speaking during the Education Committee, Mr Hinds said: "That is the reality of no-deal.
"Across government, we would have to find resource to be able to make sure that mission-critical things for people's way of life - supply of food and medicines and so on - that absolutely those things are protected.
"This would be on a temporary basis, but, as I say, it's a cross-governmental effort."
When asked about the Department for Education's preparations for a no-deal Brexit, Mr Hinds added: "I am confident that everything that reasonably we could be planning for, we are planning for."
Here's the text of the all important confidence motion in the government - and the MPs who have signed it .
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon is in London today, where she is trying to pile on the pressure on Theresa May to call a second referendum.
In a letter to the prime minister, Ms Sturgeon said the defeat sent a message that "the draft deal would make people poorer, damage our society and undermine the democratic decision of the people of Scotland to remain in the European Union."
She added: "However rather than recognise the clear vote to remain in Scotland and the 48% across the UK who voted to remain, you have reached out only to those who supported exit and most often to those who advocated a hard Brexit, outside the Single Market and Customs Union.
As a result your Government has now clearly failed to bring the country together in support of your proposed deal. It is time to recognise that reality and change course, starting with a new approach which seeks to find a way forward by genuinely involving the four nations of the UK."
The first minister said the only way to break the deadlock was to delay Brexit and hold a second referendum.
Meeting SNP MPs in Westminster, Nicola Sturgeon stepped up her call for an extension of Article 50.
Following a telephone call with the PM last night, Ms Sturgeon said: "It seemed to me as if she has no idea really of what to do next."
The first minister is now speaking to journalists with a big crowd of her MPs around her. Journalists have been quick to point out that this is a similar tactic to the DUP, as Arlene Foster is always surrounded by a "donut" of supporters when she speaks to camera.
Labour MP Rupa Huq tweets a picture from a group of Labour MPs calling for a final say. Around 70 MPs have signed a statement calling for Jeremy Corbyn to back a second referendum on Brexit.
Ms Huq claims the party is "united" on pursuing a general election and if not, then a people's vote is "the only way out of the mess".
It's on the head of the pin, as Labour's official conference policy is to pursue a general election. If that can't be achieve then all options are on the table, including a second referendum.
Ms Huq appears to say that Jeremy Corbyn is on the same page as her that another vote is the only option - but Mr Corbyn has repeatedly stepped back from supporting such a move.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments