British lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce deal with the European Union on Jan. 15, plunging the Brexit process into chaos and triggering a no-confidence vote that could topple her government.
The defeat was widely expected, but the scale of the House of Commons vote was devastating for May’s fragile leadership. The vote of 432-202 against the deal was the worst defeat for a government in the House of Commons in modern history.
The defeat triggered a motion of no confidence in the government, which was set for the following day.
May lacks an overall majority in Parliament, but she likely will survive the vote unless lawmakers from her Conservative Party rebel.
With the country due to leave the EU on March 29, the defeat gives May a stark choice: Steer the country toward an abrupt “no-deal” break with the EU or try to nudge it toward a softer departure.
“The House has spoken and the government will listen,” May said after the vote. (AP)