Failure of every alternative even when the government has not whipped Tory MPs means a general election is now the only viable route forward

The results of tonight’s ‘indicative votes’, in which all motions were defeated:

customs union 273-276

Common Market 2.0 261-282

‘confirmatory referendum’ 280-292

revocation of Article 50 191-292

Twice now MPs have been whipped to back referendum options, in accordance with Labour’s conference policy – and twice those options have been defeated even though Theresa May gave Tory MPs a free vote.

Twice Jeremy has done everything his enemies asked of him.

Twice Tom Watson’s option received the full backing of Labour’s leadership.

On each and every occasion those options were still defeated – there is simply no support for a new referendum in Parliament as it is currently constituted.

The nearest to a successful vote tonight was Ken Clarke’s customs union option, which echoes Labour’s Brexit deal welcomed by the EU as ‘heavenly’.

SKWAWKBOX comment:

Tonight’s votes proved only that the sole way forward for the UK out of this Tory-made mess is a general election.



There can be no more pandering to anti-democratic centrists or terrified Tories. There must now be a general election – and any MP who wishes even to pretend to have the best interests of the country at heart must support a vote of no confidence when Labour brings it.

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