It comes after Theresa avoided an internal Tory vote of no confidence in her leadership in December
Theresa May survived a no confidence vote in the government by 325 votes to 306 on Wednesday night.
Jeremy Corbyn tabled the no confidence motion after Mrs May’s draft withdrawal agreement was on the receiving end of the largest government defeat in parliamentary history.
There's always next year https://t.co/mxP6xLVmhW
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) December 12, 2018
After Prime Minister’s Questions, virtually the entire parliamentary day was given to the no confidence motion.
Most MPs contributed but the closing remarks, from Tom Watson for the Labour party and Michael Gove of the Tories, were of most note.
Watson struck a pathetic tone, almost enough to make you feel sorry for May. Right up until you remember the situation is of her own making. He said May is “a prime minister without a majority for her flagship policy,” without the “political skills, the empathy… and most crucially the policy to lead this country.”
Michael Gove’s riposte came with a significant increase in vigour. He quoted Vicky Pollard and made broad gestures. By the end, the odds on him to be the next Tory leader had significantly shortened.
The vote is the second time May has hung on by her teeth in recent months. In December last year Conservative MPs mounted their own challenge against the prime minister, which she saw off too.
Speaking in the Commons, Theresa May said: “I do not take this responsibility lightly, my government will continue its work.
“We will continue to work to deliver on the solemn promise we made to the people of this country, to deliver on Brexit, and to make sure this house retains the trust of the general public.”
The prime minister said she would meet with parliamentarians tonight, to try and build consensus on a Brexit deal.