The SNP and other opposition parties have tabled a vote of no confidence in the UK Government.

The third-largest party in the House of Commons was joined by the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party who say ‘the people deserve better’.

The Prime Minister is still struggling to sell her deal to a deeply divided Parliament with just 100 days to go until Brexit.

Party leaders Vince Cable, Caroline Lucas and Ian Blackford (seated) have all tabled a vote of no confidence (Picture: PA)

Earlier this week, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn demanded a Commons vote on Theresa May after she confirmed a vote on her Brexit deal would not take place until after Christmas.


However he has stopped short of calling a vote of no confidence in the Conservative government as a whole.

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Mrs May is now free to ignore this latest motion of no confidence until Mr Corbyn – as the leader of the official opposition – joins in.



SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP met with Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable, Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts and Green MP Caroline Lucas on Tuesday and they took a joint decision to put forward a vote of no confidence in the names of the opposition leaders.

Mr Blackford has demanded that the government finds time before parliament rises for the Christmas recess to debate their motion.

A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to comment.

There are just 100 days to go until we leave the EU (Picture: AP)

SNP leader Mr Blackford said: ‘Opposition leaders have taken the decision to table a vote of no confidence in the UK government under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act – something Jeremy Corbyn has failed to do.

‘Labour has failed to hold the UK government to account over their shambolic Brexit negotiations.

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‘Their motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister on Monday was a gimmick – we attempted to strengthen it with our own amendment and it’s regrettable it was not offered time for debate in Parliament.

‘By tabling our motion on Tuesday evening, we hope to be afforded time by the UK government to debate it before Parliament closes for the Christmas recess.

‘It is clear the Prime Minister’s tactic has been to run down the clock and deprive Parliament of any alternative to her deal.

‘Jeremy Corbyn seems happy to let her – presumably to avoid having to make a decision on a second EU referendum. This is not acceptable and people deserve better.

Until Jeremy Corbyn joins in, the motion won’t go anywhere (Picture: EPA)

‘We want this motion to succeed but if it doesn’t, Labour’s only excuse for not backing a second referendum will be removed. We can then all get on with building a majority for that vote.’

Mrs May survived a bruising vote of no confidence in her own Tory party leadership last week.

She has since been back to Europe trying to win fresh concessions and clarifications that might see people back her deal.

She has said a delayed vote on her deal will take place in mid-January, prompting some lawmakers to accuse her of trying to force parliament into backing her by running down the clock as the March 29 exit day approaches.

The government has stepped up preparations for a no deal Brexit and there are increasing calls for a second referendum.

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