May takes another hit, as MPs rebel in vote

British Prime Minister Theresa May took yet another hit from within her own party yesterday, as MPs voted down a motion representing her most recent progress on adjustments to her Brexit deal, by 45 votes (303 to 258). Conservative party MPs part of the so-called “European Research Group”, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, voted down the non-binding motion, as it sought to eliminate the possibility of a “Hard Brexit” (a withdrawal from the European Union with no pre-agreed deal). For Eurosceptics such as Mogg and his ERG colleagues, the possibility of a no-deal Brexit is seen as an important bargaining chip to hold over the EU. Whilst the vote is non-binding, it is a massive disappointment for May, as it shows she has made no further progress to appease the sceptics within her party since the last vote two weeks ago. Furthermore, it will put her in a tough position when she next meets with the EU, as it means the deal she will discuss with Brussels, is one which clearly hasn’t got the support of the British parliament.

Two other motions on the subject were rejected yesterday. A proposal by the Labour party to force another vote before the 27th of February was defeated by 16 votes, and a Scottish Nationalist motion to delay Brexit three months was also beaten, by 222 votes.