‘SEISMIC’ was Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western’s verdict following the crushing rejection of Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
The prime minister’s deal was overwhelmingly defeated in the House of Commons by 230 votes on Tuesday – the largest defeat suffered by a government in modern British political history.
Among the 432 votes against Mrs May’s deal – 118 were cast by Conservative MPs.
But Tory MPs Jeremy Wright (Kenilworth and Southam), Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford), and Mark Pawsey (Rugby and Bulkington), all backed their leader.
Mr Zahawi told The Observer: “The vote was obviously extremely disappointing but I respect it. It showed very decisively what parliament is against, but we are none the wiser as to what it supports.
“I think the prime minister struck exactly the right tone when outlining the next steps she intends to take. By identifying exactly what changes would be required for MPs across the House of Commons to give the deal a majority backing, and exploring these ideas with the EU, I believe a consensus can be built that ensures we leave the EU on March 29 in an orderly manner with comprehensive withdrawal agreement.”
Mr Wright, a member of Mrs May’s cabinet, said: “The House made it very clear last night what it does not support. We now need to work out what changes must be made in order to deliver a Brexit it does support whilst ensuring we deliver on the referendum result as already decided by the British people.”
Labour MP Mr Western was among those to vote the deal down.
Mr Western immediately tweeted: “Seismic. Truth is the PM got the whole negotiation wrong.”
He later told The Observer: “The deal is now dead. What happens next is unclear.
“I think that whatever deal may be acceptable to the majority in parliament, a second referendum on this against the option to remain is necessary to ensure this is what the public are seeking.
“I have always said that seeking to retain the benefits of both the Customs Union and the Single Market is vital to protecting jobs, businesses and the economy. The prime minister’s deal simply did not deliver this. It would have been extremely damaging to our constituency, in particular to manufacturing and jobs.”
Immediately after the vote, Mr Western’s party leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a vote of no confidence in the government. The vote is set to take place tonight (Wednesday). If successful it could trigger a general election.
Following the defeat of Mrs May’s deal, political commentators speculated it moved both the possibility of a no deal Brexit or another referendum a step closer.
European Council President Donald Tusk suggested cancelling Brexit altogether was now “the only positive solution” but Mrs May remains adamant that is not an option.
Check back for more reaction from our MPs later today.
