John Baron’s Brexit amendment defeated

MP supports Government in no confidence vote

Yesterday evening John Baron’s amendment to the Government’s motion on the Withdrawal Agreement was the only amendment to be put to a vote – other amendments having been withdrawn by their sponsoring MPs – but was defeated by 24 votes to 600. The main vote on the Withdrawal Agreement followed, which John voted against. In today’s confidence vote, he will be supporting the Government.

John said,

“My amendment would have given the Prime Minister a strong mandate to resolve the ‘backstop trap’ with the EU by giving the UK a unilateral mechanism to exit it, and it is a shame that it was not more widely supported. As it was not, I had no compunction in voting down the unacceptable and one-sided Withdrawal Agreement.”

“I will be supporting the Prime Minister and the Government in the confidence vote this evening. Jeremy Corbyn and his far-left policies would be truly dangerous for this country, and his decision to call a no confidence vote smacks of political opportunism rather than what is best for our country.”

“Once the vote has taken place, I hope the Government will intensify ‘no deal’ preparations, which remains the default option unless the Government or Parliament actively decides otherwise. In this, the Prime Minister will continue to have my full support.”