Brexit news latest: MPs tell of ‘utter chaos’ in Government after no-deal is taken off the table

Olivia Tobin
Updated

Cross-party MPs have hit out at the “utter chaos” of the Government after a vote to take a no-deal Brexit off the table.

MPs voted to reject crashing out of the European Union without a deal "under any circumstance."

Mrs May was defeated by 321 votes to 278, a margin of 43, on a motion to rule out a no-deal Brexit at any time and under any circumstance.

Work and pensions secretary Sarah Newton quit after defying the whips to vote for the cross-party proposal.

Speaking moments after her second significant Brexit defeat in the same number of days, Mrs May accepted that there was a "clear majority" against no-deal in the Commons.

Mrs May speaking to Parliament after the vote (REUTERS)
Mrs May speaking to Parliament after the vote (REUTERS)

But she insisted that despite the vote - which is not legally binding - no-deal remains the default option in UK and EU law unless a Withdrawal Agreement is reached.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded that Mrs May had repeatedly offered a choice between her deal and no deal, adding: "In the last 24 hours, Parliament has decisively rejected both."

Mr Corbyn said: "Parliament must now take control of the situation. Myself, the shadow Brexit secretary and others will have meetings with members across the House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House."

MP for Streatham Chuka Umunna said Westminster was “broken”.

Speaking to Sky News, the Independent Group MP said: “The Conservative Party has essentially become the no-deal party, whipping its MPs against motions and measures to design to stop no-deal from happening.”

He added: “The place is broken…It’s an embarrassment to the country and Britain deserves better.”

He said it was “essential” that MPs vote to extend Article 50 tomorrow.

Heidi Allen, who recently quit the Conservative party to join The Independent Group, tweeted: "Utterly desperate and historic in equal measure. The Conservatives are whipping for 'no deal'."

And Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran wrote on Twitter: "SHAME on this government. They are whipping to vote FOR no deal. Reckless. Unbelievable. What madness."

Labour's Luke Pollard tweeted: "So....Labour is now voting for the Prime Minister's amended motion and the Tories are now voting against the Prime Minister's motion. Hope you're all keeping up with this? What a mess."

Green MP Caroline Lucas described the situation as "unbelievable" and "reckless self-indulgence", tweeting: "Unbelievable - even by this Government's standards...

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to MPs in the House of Commons, London after MPs have supported the amended Government motion which rejects a no-deal (PA)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to MPs in the House of Commons, London after MPs have supported the amended Government motion which rejects a no-deal (PA)

"So now - against all their promises - they are whipping against the PM's own motion to rule out No Deal. There is no greater example of reckless self indulgence."

"Just hope enough might find a spine & at least abstain ...."

Labour MP Maria Eagle said Theresa May has "lost all authority" following the vote.

She tweeted: "She whipped it (having said she wouldn't) voted against it (having said she'd vote for it) and lost big. She then told the House 'nothing has changed' She has lost all authority."