British Prime Minister Theresa May could be facing her last day in the job, as a motion of no confidence was moved in the House of Commons after parliament voted against her Brexit deal on Tuesday night.
The prime minister’s deal – which she has repeatedly said is the only one that Brussels will entertain – was crushed in the lower house by a spectacular majority of 230, with 203 votes for and 432 against.
Speaking after the defeat, Prime Minister May said: “It is clear that the house does not support this deal. But tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support.
“Nothing about how – or even if – it intends to honour the decision the British people took in a referendum parliament decided to hold. People, particularly EU citizens who have made their home here and UK citizens living in the EU, deserve clarity on these questions as soon as possible. Those whose jobs rely on our trade with the EU need that clarity.”
The UK leader also confirmed that she would make time on Wednesday for a confidence motion to be debated, should one be tabled by Labor, adding: “We need to confirm whether this government still enjoys the confidence of the house.”
Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn then moved a no confidence motion, which is expected to be debated and voted on following Prime Minister’s Question Time which will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
President of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker released a statement following the vote, in which he called on the UK to “clarify its intentions as soon as possible”.
“I take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the House of Commons this evening,” he said. “On the EU side, the process of ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement continues.
“The Withdrawal Agreement is a fair compromise and the best possible deal. It reduces the damage caused by Brexit for citizens and businesses across Europe. It is the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.”
He finished with the ominous words: “Time is almost up.”
I take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the @HouseofCommons this evening. I urge the #UK to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up #Brexit https://t.co/SMmps5kexn
— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) January 15, 2019
Following Corbyn’s call for a vote of no confidence, the UK could soon be heading to a general election. If the motion passes with a simple majority, then the government will fall, with May also then likely to step down as PM.
Many people took to Twitter following the vote, suggesting that the prime minister should step down as a result of the defeat.
One person wrote: “If Theresa May had an ounce of decency, and thought for the country she should resign forthwith.” Another said: “Theresa May needs to resign if only to spare herself another humiliation when she’s ousted from office.”
If Theresa May had an ounce of decency, and thought for the country she should resign forthwith.
— Richard Hawes (@Richard09445182) January 15, 2019
However some spoke out in support of May, with one user writing: “Theresa May – remainer – everyone moaning at her. She didn’t want the bloody job in the 1st place the brexiteers who instigated this crap f****d off as soon as the referendum results were in, leaving the people who didn’t want it to sort it out.”
The United Kingdom are set to leave the European Union in a matter of weeks, with the official divorce date being March 29. Brexit was voted for by a majority of 53.4 per cent of the country in a referendum in June 2016.