Following last night’s dramatic ‘meaningful vote’ at Westminster, in which the UK Government’s Brexit deal was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs, Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock said: “This is a definitive moment in the long and shambolic process of Brexit. It’s been painful watching this hapless government stumble on regardless of the mess it has created, so I’m pleased that finally parliament has had a chance to say ‘no’ to a deal that pleases no-one.
“I could not vote for something which would destroy jobs, threaten food and medicine supplies, damage the NHS and force EU citizens to register to stay in their own homes. Scotland voted resoundingly to remain in the EU, by 78 per cent in Edinburgh North and Leith, and our voices must be heard. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to protect our rights as EU citizens”
What happens next?
The Brexit deal negotiated by Mrs May is basically in tatters and it’s extremely unlikely anyhting can be salvaged from it.
Following the humiliating defeat the Tory government now faces a vote of no confidence, but even in in the febrile atmosphere of the Palace of Westminster it’s unlikely that turkeys will vote for Christmas and Mrs May’s government is likely to survive – for the timebeing at least.
Assuming she survives tonight’s No Confidence vote, Mrs May must try to come up with a Plan B to resolve the Brexit impasse – something she has clearly been unable to produce over many months of negotiations … and she will be expected to deliver this within three days!
Perhaps, given the gravity of the situation, Mrs May will belatedly invite opposition leaders to participate in a ‘crisis cabinet’ to deliver on the referendum result. It’s very late in the day and the Brexit clock is inexorably ticking down, but the UK’s future remains in the hands of our politicians for now.
And if they cannot come up with a solution … a No Deal exit or another referendum, anyone?
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