Theresa May’s deal was soundly defeated on Tuesday evening
MPs will vote on whether to rule out a no deal Brexit on Wednesday evening.
The vote will see the House of Commons decide to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal on March 29th.
Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement was defeated in the Commons on Wednesday evening by 149 votes. MPs voted against the deal by 391 to 242.
The result is the fourth largest Commons defeat in the democratic era. Above it is the last meaningful vote, in the top spot, and two defeats suffered by Ramsay McDonald in 1924.
May said: “I profoundly regret the decision this house has taken tonight. I continue to believe that the best outcome is the UK leaves the EU with a negotiated deal. The deal we’ve negotiated is the best and only one available.”
“This is an issue of grave importance for the future of our country.”
“I am passionate about delivering the result of the referendum, I believe the best and most orderly way to do that is with with a deal.”
In the immediate aftermath of the decision, an EU spokesperson said the bloc had “done all that is possible to reach an agreement” and that after repeated assurances, the onus was now on London to resolve the deadlock.
Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator overseeing Brexit, reiterated the point. He said “the EU has done everything it can to help get the withdrawal agreement over the line” and that “the impasse can only be solved in the UK.”
A spokesperson for Donald Tusk, the president of the European council said: “We regret the outcome of tonight’s vote and are disappointed that the UK government has been unable to ensure a majority for the withdrawal agreement agreed by both parties in November.
“On the EU side we have done all that is possible to reach an agreement. Given the additional assurances provided by the EU in December, January and yesterday, it is difficult to see what more we can do.
“If there is a solution to the current impasse, it can only be found in London.”
