Further Brexit setback for British PM Theresa May after MPs refuse to endorse government approach

BRITAIN’S parliament dealt another blow to the Prime Minister’s Brexit efforts yesterday (Thursday) after voting down a motion backing her government’s negotiating strategy.

MPs voted 259 in favour and 303 against on the motion recommitting the House of Commons to supporting Theresa May’s approach as it did at the end of last month.

Downing Street sources said May would not change her approach to ongoing efforts to secure changes to her Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.

“While we didn’t secure the support of the Commons, the Prime Minister continues to believe there was a concern from some Conservative colleagues about taking no deal off the table at this stage,” the spokesperson said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the vote showed there was no parliamentary majority for the Prime Minister’s plan.

“She needs to admit her strategy has failed, shift her red lines and come back with a proposal that can truly command support in Parliament,” Corbyn said.

The motion was not legally binding but indicates how much support there is for the Prime Minister’s Brexit approach in Parliament.

Conservative MPs who are members of the pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG) abstained, paving the way for May’s defeat.  They did so due to concerns the motion would have made the government rule out a no deal Brexit.

The defeat comes as May continues to appeal to Brussels to reopen the negotiations to secure changes on the Northern Irish backstop. She is working to make the changes before the scheduled withdrawal date of Friday March 29.