Brexit news latest: Opposition parties table vote of no confidence in Government

Under pressure: Theresa May
EPA
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Opposition parties have tabled a vote of no confidence in the Government in a move that follows pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to make the move.

It comes after the Labour leader demanded a Commons vote on Theresa May’s future after she confirmed a vote on her Brexit deal would not happen until after Christmas.

Mr Corbyn tabled a non-binding motion in the Prime Minister, but stopped short of bringing one against the Government under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA).

The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have now tabled a confidence vote in the Government following a meeting on Tuesday evening.

The party leaders accused Mr Corbyn of failing to hold the Government to account, adding that their move was a bid to strengthen the motion he tabled earlier.

It is understood the Government only has to give time to motions tabled in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, which is currently Mr Corbyn. If he called the vote of confidence in Government, and if it was won, a General Election could be triggered.

SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP met with Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable, Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts and Green MP Caroline Lucas and make a joint decision to table the motion.

Mr Blackford said: "Labour has failed to hold the UK government to account over their shambolic Brexit negotiations. Their motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister on Monday was a gimmick - we attempted to strengthen it with our own amendment and it's regrettable it was not offered time for debate in Parliament.

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clash in the Commons on Monday
AFP/Getty Images

"By tabling our motion on Tuesday evening, we hope to be afforded time by the UK government to debate it before Parliament closes for the Christmas recess.

"It is clear the Prime Minister's tactic has been to run down the clock and deprive Parliament of any alternative to her deal.

He added: "Jeremy Corbyn seems happy to let her - presumably to avoid having to make a decision on a second EU referendum. This is not acceptable and people deserve better.

"We want this motion to succeed but if it doesn't, Labour's only excuse for not backing a second referendum will be removed. We can then all get on with building a majority for that vote."

It is understood the Government only has to give time to motions tabled in the name of the Leader of the Opposition.

Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Ms Saville Roberts added: "Labour may be the 'official' opposition, but this is what real opposition looks like."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in