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Government defeated on EU Withdrawal motion meant to show a stable majority for a deal with a renegotiated backstop after major abstention from Tory MPs
AYES: 258
NOES: 303
AYES: 258
NOES: 303
PM can not now claim that she has a Commons mandate for her attempt to renegotiate the backstop, as she repeatedly has - the Government specifically asked for support for her approach to be “reiterated” - it has not been.
PM not in Commons...
PM not in Commons...
Government seems to have shot itself in both feet by getting Soubry to withdraw her amendment - could have done with it passing...
Steve Baker says the vote shows that the only majority in the Commons is for a deal without the backstop, and says the only way forward is the Malthouse idea
More Labour MPs voted for the SNP amendment to extend Article 50 than there are SNP MPs: 
Number 10 reaction:
Corbyn has made No Deal more likely... the Brady amendment “remains the only one the Commons has passed expressing what it does want” - Govt will continue to pursue backstop changes with EU
Ie nothing has changed.
Corbyn has made No Deal more likely... the Brady amendment “remains the only one the Commons has passed expressing what it does want” - Govt will continue to pursue backstop changes with EU
Ie nothing has changed.
On main motion 68 Tory MPs who voted against the Labour amendment did not follow whip on the main motion... including 5 voting against... 4 Labour voting with Govt, and the DUP too:
