PM survives as no confidence motion is defeated

Theresa May has survived an attempt to oust her as Prime Minister, as MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyn’s motion of no confidence in the Government by a margin of 325 to 306.
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The Prime Minister’s 19-vote victory came less than 24 hours after the crushing defeat of her EU Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons, and clears the way for her to start cross-party talks on a Brexit Plan B.

Conservative rebels and members of the Democratic Unionist Party who consigned the PM to the worst defeat in parliamentary history on Tuesday rallied behind her to see off the threat of a general election.

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Welcoming the result, Mrs May told the Commons: “I am pleased that this House has expressed its confidence in the Government.

Prime Minister Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today. Pic by Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/PA WirePrime Minister Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today. Pic by Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/PA Wire
Prime Minister Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today. Pic by Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/PA Wire

“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.

“And yes, we will also continue to work to deliver on the solemn promise we made to the people of this country to deliver on the result of the referendum and leave the European Union.”

She invited leaders of opposition parties to take part in individual meetings with her on the way forward for Brexit, starting on Wednesday evening.

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Speaking just after the outcome of the vote was announced, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds MP said the “result of the motion of no confidence illustrates the importance of the confidence and supply arrangement that is currently in place” between his party and Theresa May’s Conservatives.

He said: “I’m always delighted when our opponents illustrate the strength of that relationship that we have, and what is delivering for Northern Ireland.

“When the people of Northern Ireland see the investment in education, in health and infrastructure they will thank this Parliament and this party and this Government for that extra investment.”

A number of Labour MPs then held their hands in the air and rubbed their fingers together, in reference to the extra investment promised to Northern Ireland in exchange for the support of Mr Dodds’ party’s 10 MPs.

He said the agreement was “built on delivering Brexit”, adding that he is looking forward to “working in the coming days to achieve that objective”.