May bows out as Remainers and Brexiteers fight for the future of Brexit

Theresa May saved her voice and pulled out of opening the debate ahead of today's No Deal vote as Eurosceptics and Remainers went into battle over Brexit in the Commons this afternoon.

The Prime Minister asked her Environment Secretary Michael Gove to step in - but Mrs May sat behind him as he backed her motion that Britain should not leave the EU on March 29 without a deal - but keep No Deal on the table if talks still falter after a likely Article 50 extension. 

Speaker John Bercow has selected two amendments to Theresa May's motion - one by Tory Dame Caroline Spelman rejecting a No Deal Brexit under any circumstances. 



The other is in the name of former Tory minister Damian Green demanding Britain delays Brexit day from March 29 to May 22 to give time for preparations to leave without a deal.

As her voice failed Michael Gove stood in for the Prime Minister and he began by praising her saying: 'She may temporarily have lost her voice, but what she has not lost, and will never lose, is her focus in the national interest, and a full-hearted desire to do what is right for our country.'

The Environment Secretary said since Mrs May lost the first meaningful vote on her Withdrawal Agreement in January she has spent 'more than 19 hours at the despatch box', and: 'Has shown fortitude, tenacity, thoughtfulness, diligence - and above all an unselfish and unstinting patriotism.'

Mr Gove said it was only appropriate that 'on all sides of the House' MPs recognise the way in which the Prime Minister 'always, always, always puts country first' - but told them that after rejecting her deal they now have 'difficult choices to make' about Brexit.

Earlier the croaky Tory leader insisted she understood Britain's demand to get Brexit done today as she croaked through PMQs with a blast at Jeremy Corbyn for refusing to help pass her deal.

Hours after she was humiliated by a second drubbing at the hands of MPs, Mrs May returned to the Despatch Box to insist: 'I want to leave the EU with a good deal - I believe we have a good deal.' 

The Prime Minister is fighting for her political life after being humiliated by a crushing Commons defeat last night which saw her on the 'last chance' Brexit deal voted down by 391 to 242. 

Tonight MPs will vote on whether to stop No Deal - tomorrow they are expected to vote to delay Brexit in 16 days time. 





MailOnline