Theresa May loses amendment vote 312-308 as MPs push to reject no-deal Brexit completely The Prime Minister was overruled in a vote on amendments on possibly ruling out a no-deal Brexit

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Theresa May was overruled in a Commons clash on a no-deal Brexit, with MPs pushed to avoid leaving the EU without an agreement.

In a surprise turn of events MPs voted 312 to 308 – a majority of just four – in favour of an amendment tabled by a Tory former cabinet minister to completely rule out a no deal.

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The Prime Minister had tabled a government amendment stating that the House did not “approve” leaving without a deal but acknowledged that a no-deal Brexit still remained the default legal option and could not be completely ruled out.

Tory MP Dame Caroline Spelman then tabled an amendment to the motion stating that the wording should be strengthened to say the house “rejects” a no deal.

MPs want to completely rule out no deal

It essentially means the House would want to rule out a no-deal Brexit completely, under any circumstances.

Under pressure from the Government, Dame Caroline later attempted to withdraw the amendment, saying the government motion would do the same job so it was necessary.

But she was told by Commons Speaker John Bercow that she could not withdraw it because other signatories could “persist with it”.

In a dramatic move Labour MP Yvette Cooper, a fellow signatory, instead moved the amendment.

It was passed in the Commons by 312 votes to 308, indicating the strength of the opposition in Parliament against a no-deal Brexit.

But, confusingly, the vote still cannot technically rule out a no deal in law.

However no-deal remains the default option unless an extension is agreed with the 27 other EU states, or a deal is passed before the end of the month.

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