It's May's deal or mayhem for Brexit as MPs reject eight other options
MPs tonight rejected a series of alternative Brexit plans as Theresa May vowed to quit as long as her deal is backed by the Commons.
The Prime Minister has promised to leave Downing Street this summer – but only if MPs pass her EU Withdrawal Agreement.
It prompted previous opponents including Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith to switch sides to support it, increasing the likelihood of a Brexit breakthrough for Mrs May, who has seen her deal defeated twice in the Commons by margins of 230 and 149.
However, the DUP said it would continue to oppose the deal, claiming it poses an “unacceptable threat” to the union.
It also kick-started a Tory leadership race that has been bubbling under the surface for some time.
If the PM’s deal passes the UK is due to leave the EU on May 22, with a Conservative leadership contest set to start shortly after that in order to have a new Prime Minister in place by early July.
It came as MPs seized control of the parliamentary timetable, putting eight alternative proposals for the future of Brexit to the vote.
But amid chaotic scenes in the Commons none of them received sufficient support from across the House.
A plan to put any EU Withdrawal Agreement to a public vote, which was submitted by Labour MP Margaret Beckett, was defeated 295-268.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry’s plan to cancel Brexit if Britain gets within days of leaving without a deal was defeated by a majority of 109, and Tory MP Ken Clarke’s call for the UK to negotiate a permanent customs union with the EU after Brexit was beaten by eight votes.
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour version of Brexit was defeated for a second time, 307-237, a majority of 70 votes, while a plan put forward by Tory MP George Eustice, which would see single market membership without any kind of customs union, was trounced by 312.
A Brexiteer plan to leave the EU on April 12 without a deal was beaten 400-160.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the lack of support for any alternatives showed why MPs should back Mrs May’s deal.
The Prime Minister had previously said she would go in advance of the 2022 election, but last night told MPs in the backbench 1922 Committee that she would quit earlier than planned in order to ensure that Brexit happens.
She said: “I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party. I know there is a desire for a new approach – and new leadership – in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations, and I won’t stand in the way of that.
“I know some people are worried that if you vote for the Withdrawal Agreement, I will take that as a mandate to rush on into phase two without the debate we need to have. I won’t – I hear what you are saying.
“But we need to get the deal through and deliver Brexit.”
Mrs May acknowledged that it had been “a testing time” for the party and the country, but said: “We’re nearly there. We’re almost ready to start a new chapter and build that brighter future.
“But before we can do that, we have to finish the job in hand.”
She added: “I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.
“I ask everyone in this room to back the deal so we can complete our historic duty – to deliver on the decision of the British people and leave the European Union with a smooth and orderly exit.”
Boris Johnson – a potential Tory leadership contender – was among several Brexiteers to say he would back Mrs May’s deal after her pledge to stand down.
However, Commons Speaker John Bercow cast fresh doubt on a third meaningful vote, firming up his ‘no repeat votes’ ruling by warning the Government against trying to circumvent it.
Meanwhile questions were once again raised over Labour’s Brexit stance, after conflicting messages emerged from senior MPs.
Shadow international development secretary Barry Gardiner insisted that Labour was not a “Remain party”, saying it would have difficulty backing a second referendum.
It led to confusion among the party’s MPs, with Wes Streeting calling for “urgent leadership” to confirm the party’s stance.
Labour later announced its support for a public vote, a move which has been backed by deputy leader and West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson.
