MPs vote to take control of Commons in an attempt to find a majority for any Brexit option
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MPs have voted to take control of Commons business in an unprecedented move to try to find a majority for any Brexit option.
May was forced to abandon plans to hold a third “meaningful vote” on her unloved Brexit deal on Monday amid continuing resistance from Conservative Eurosceptics and the Democratic Unionist party.
The FT reports “with May’s version of Brexit blocked by Brexiters, a predominantly pro-Remain parliament on Monday night took the initiative and backed a cross-party effort to develop a Plan B.”
The BBC reports that government was defeated by 329 votes to 302 on the cross-party amendment, a majority of 27.
Now MPs will get a series of votes on Wednesday to find out what kind of Brexit they will support.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said there is no guarantee she will abide by their decision.
But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had backed the amendment tabled by Conservative Sir Oliver Letwin, said the government “must take the process seriously”.
He added: “The government has failed and this House must, and I believe will, succeed.”
He said MPs would want to find a consensus on the way forward, including a possible “confirmatory vote” on the PM’s deal by the public – something Mrs May told MPs earlier she did not want because Remain would be on the ballot paper.
The Independent reports that Cabinet members have warned a new election is nearing as Theresa May lost grip on the Brexit process during another fraught night in the House of Commons.
