Local MPs vote against Brexit motion which leaves Theresa May defeated

Liz McInnes MP & Tony Lloyd MP

Local MPs Tony Lloyd and Liz McInnes voted against Theresa May’s Brexit motion, which was rejected by the House of Commons on Thursday (14 February).

The Prime Minister’s motion was rejected by MPs, by 303 votes to 258 because it appeared to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

The prime minister suffered the biggest ever Commons loss when her Brexit plan was voted down by 432 votes to 202, a record majority of 230 votes, on Tuesday 15 January.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125445/local-mps-reject-theresa-mays-brexit-deal

In the latest debate, both local MPs also voted for Labour’s failed amendment, which requested giving MPs a vote on the withdrawal agreement by 27 February, or, requiring the government to allow MPs to vote on - and amend - its planned next steps.

They did not vote on the SNP’s amendment, which also failed, to postpone the Brexit date by at least three months.

Prior to the referendum on 23 June 2016, both Tony Lloyd, Rochdale’s MP, and Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, voted to remain in the EU.

Speaking about voting against the motion put forward by Mrs May, Ms McInnes said: “Last night the government lost a vote which they brought in the hope of reiterating support for their approach to Brexit and the negotiations. Their defeat shows that there is no majority in parliament for the Prime Minister’s current course of action.

“The government cannot keep on ignoring Parliament or ploughing on towards 29 March without a coherent plan. Theresa May cannot keep on trying to run down the clock and hoping that something will turn up that will save the day and save her face.

“Jeremy Corbyn this week wrote to the PM to set out Labour’s constructive suggestions and requirements for a Brexit deal that works, and it’s up to the PM to accept that her red lines must change. It’s the only way forward.”

Mr Lloyd commented: “This is now the 10th vote that Theresa May has lost in the House of Commons. This is a government which offers no leadership and has no ability to get its legislation through.

“Theresa May’s own deal is opposed by people on all sides of this debate and her only tactic is to run the clock down in the hope of forcing the country to agree to it. This cannot be allowed to work, and Parliament will face a series of crucial votes on the week beginning 25 February .

“In effect, Parliament will need to seize control and begin to deliver a Brexit which keeps jobs for Rochdale and the rest of the UK.”