Vicky Foxcroft MP for Lewisham Deptford & Shadow Minister for Disabled People
As you will no doubt be aware, yesterday MPs rejected the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal by 432 votes to 202 – the biggest defeat for any UK government in the democratic era.
I was proud to act as a teller, alongside Nick Smith (MP for Blaenau Gwent). If you don’t know what telling involves, there’s an explanation here.
Last night Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party joined forces to table a motion of no confidence in the Government. The motion is being debated this afternoon and we expect to vote around 19.00.
If we win the vote, the Government will have 14 days to try and regain the confidence of MPs. If it cannot, another government may be formed.
If that does not happen, Parliament will be dissolved and a general election will be held. At this point I firmly believe that all options should be put back on the table, including the possibility of a second referendum.
If, on the other hand, the Prime Minister holds on, she will have to return to the Commons by Monday with a new Brexit plan. Backbench MPs will be able to put down their own amendments to this, but it will be up to the Speaker to decide whether those amendments are debated.
