Theresa May survives no-confidence vote, as Brexit deal continues to create divide

Theresa May survived the no-confidence vote by 83 votes, but will step down from the 2022 election. However, more than a third of Conservative MP’s voted against her, signalling at an uphill battle to get her Brexit deal through parliament, as reported by the Guardian.

Though the operation to oust May was unsuccessful, it signals a sharp divide in her party that leaves her damaged, with many in her own party opposing her deal.

Mark Francois, leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG) said he wouldn’t call the vote a “busted flush”, adding that “over a third of the parliamentary party, in a secret ballot, voted against the prime minister as their leader, and over half of backbenchers. For any prime minister that is an incredibly sobering result.”

Her leadership cannot be contested for at least another year, and experts suggest the margin of her win is big enough to not warrant a resignation from her part.

She is currently continuing her Brexit talks in Brussels ahead of the vote she assures will take place before 21 January. However, without room for renegotiation, the same MPs that voted against her on Wednesday will oppose the deal, continuing the deadlock.

Author: Ana Hernandez