By Joe Gerrard • Published: 29 Mar 2019 • 19:01
UNCERTAINTY: Protesters gathered outside Westminster today. Credit: Henry Smith, via Twitter
BRITAIN’S Prime Minister saw her Brexit deal voted down for the third time in Parliament today (Friday), prolonging uncertainty over how Britain’s withdrawal from EU will play out.
MPs voted 286 in favour to 344 against Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement. The margin of 58 is far narrower than that of the first and second vote but it the rejection would still have “grave” implications for Brexit, May said.
The prime minister, speaking in the House of Commons, said Britain would have to find alternative options for its withdrawal from the EU.
The country will “almost certainly” take part in EU elections after today’s vote, May added.
WATCH LIVE: PM @Theresa_May closes the debate before MPs vote on Brexit in @HouseofCommons https://t.co/hcjBaBFnUu — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 29, 2019
WATCH LIVE: PM @Theresa_May closes the debate before MPs vote on Brexit in @HouseofCommons https://t.co/hcjBaBFnUu
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 29, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Clearly there is more work to do. We are at least going in the right direction.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told MPs the deal now had to change after today’s result.
“There has to be an alternative found. And if the prime minister can’t accept that then she must go, not at an indeterminate date in the future but now,” Corbyn said.
The Labour leader added the party remained committed to a general election to break the current impasse.
Parliament has the chance and responsibility to agree a better deal for all the people of this country. pic.twitter.com/DFnofzdwl0 — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 29, 2019
Parliament has the chance and responsibility to agree a better deal for all the people of this country. pic.twitter.com/DFnofzdwl0
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 29, 2019
Meanwhile in Brussels, European Council President Donald Tusk said he had decided to call a summit for the body on Wednesday April 10.
In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April. #Brexit — Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) March 29, 2019
In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April. #Brexit
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) March 29, 2019
It comes as he called on MEPs in the European Parliament to be open to allowing a “long extension” to negotiations if Britain rethinks its Brexit approach.
Britain now looks set to leave the EU on Friday April 12 at 11pm at the earliest. It was slated to leave at the same time today.
If the Withdrawal Agreement is passed then the EU has said Britain will have until Wednesday May 22 to implement the deal before leaving.
Back in London, thousands of Brexit supports descended on Westminster for a “Make Brexit Happen” and “March for Leave” demonstrations.
This spring evening should’ve been Brexit day, but MPs have failed to deliver the democratic referendum result. We need leadership, and Parliament should now be prorogued. People here outside the House of Commons, Whitehall and across our country must have their votes respected. pic.twitter.com/PvGVpTH4dI — Henry Smith MP 🇬🇧 (@HenrySmithUK) March 29, 2019
This spring evening should’ve been Brexit day, but MPs have failed to deliver the democratic referendum result. We need leadership, and Parliament should now be prorogued. People here outside the House of Commons, Whitehall and across our country must have their votes respected. pic.twitter.com/PvGVpTH4dI
— Henry Smith MP 🇬🇧 (@HenrySmithUK) March 29, 2019
Looks like there’s around 3000 people across both of these demos now. The Stephen Lennon end is a bit more animated and angry, the Farage end has put more effort into their signage. pic.twitter.com/bE0G6QmR4D — HOPE not hate (@hopenothate) March 29, 2019
Looks like there’s around 3000 people across both of these demos now. The Stephen Lennon end is a bit more animated and angry, the Farage end has put more effort into their signage. pic.twitter.com/bE0G6QmR4D
— HOPE not hate (@hopenothate) March 29, 2019
UKIP leader Gerard Batten, his predecessor Nigel Farage and English Defence League founder Steven Yaxley-Lennon (known by his alias Tommy Robinson) were present.
Today’s the day we could & should remove ourselves from rule by a foreign power. We know our quisling political establishment will betray Brexit, but the fightback resumes its next phase in Whitehall today. Be there at the UKIP event, speakers start at 4.30pm. pic.twitter.com/KEajkxQ74B — Gerard Batten MEP (@GerardBattenMEP) March 29, 2019
Today’s the day we could & should remove ourselves from rule by a foreign power. We know our quisling political establishment will betray Brexit, but the fightback resumes its next phase in Whitehall today. Be there at the UKIP event, speakers start at 4.30pm. pic.twitter.com/KEajkxQ74B
— Gerard Batten MEP (@GerardBattenMEP) March 29, 2019
Stephen Lennon cares about brexit so much that it’s been announced that tonight’s UKIP’s brexit rally will feature a screening of a documentary about….Stephen Lennon. — HOPE not hate (@hopenothate) March 29, 2019
Stephen Lennon cares about brexit so much that it’s been announced that tonight’s UKIP’s brexit rally will feature a screening of a documentary about….Stephen Lennon.
Counter-protesters have said they will demonstrate against the march, accusing them of using Brexit as a platform to spread their “extreme far-right agenda”.
Metropolitan Police said they were on stand-by to prevent outbreaks of violence.
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