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Theresa May's government faces no confidence vote after record defeat on Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a vote of "no confidence" in her government. If succ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

06.55 16 Jan 2019


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Theresa May's governme...

Theresa May's government faces no confidence vote after record defeat on Brexit deal

Newstalk
Newstalk

06.55 16 Jan 2019


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British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a vote of "no confidence" in her government.

If successful, it could topple the administration.

It follows a record defeat on her Brexit deal at Westminster - the agreement was rejected by 432 votes to 202.

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It is the biggest House of Commons defeat in nearly a century.

Reaction to the defeat was swift - the Irish Government has said it "regrets" the outcome.

It said the result adds to uncertainty and "increases the risk of a disorderly Brexit".

In a statement, the Government urged the UK to set out how it proposes to move forward.

"We will then consider what next steps to take in consultation with our EU partners."

The Government said it will continue to intensify preparations for a no-deal scenario.

"The Irish Government recognises, however, that a disorderly Brexit is a bad outcome for everyone, not least in Northern Ireland.

"It is not too late to avoid this outcome and we call on the UK to set out how it proposes to resolve this impasse as a matter of urgency."

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has urged the UK to clarify its intentions "as soon as possible", adding that "time is almost up".

European Council President Donald Tusk simply said: "If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?"

Mrs May will look to her own MPs to back her, after over one-third of them voted down the Brexit deal.

She tried to head off the bid to oust her by welcoming the no confidence vote before it had even been tabled by UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

But his bid will be debated for around six hours at Westminster on Wednesday, with a vote at around 7.00pm.

The motion they will decide on is: "That this house has no confidence in Her Majesty's government."

It is likely to fail - with multiple Tory Brexiteer rebels confirming that they will support Mrs May.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May listens to British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking after losing a vote on her Brexit deal in the House of Commons | Image: House of Commons/PA Wire/PA Images

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who Mrs May relies on to get votes through the parliament, have also confirmed they will back her.

If the no confidence vote is successful, a countdown then kicks in of 14 days within which a new British government can be formed.

If none is successful, a general election is triggered.

Mrs May could attempt to cling on and form a new administration, or step down and try to install a new Conservative leader before the deadline.

Mr Corbyn could also attempt to form a new government.

He has argued Mrs May must "step-aside" to let Labour take control of the Brexit negotiations.

Mrs May has previously said she would not fight the 2022 general election.

Additional reporting: IRN


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