St Helens MPs vote to take control of Parliament to stop no-deal Brexit

In an explosive day first day back following the summer break, Tory rebels joined forces with opposition MPs to deal Boris Johnson a stinging first defeat in the House of Commons.

MPs voted into the night after Commons Speaker John Bercow allowed an emergency debate over legislation that could block a no-deal Brexit.

This came after the Prime Minister’s working majority was wiped out when Tory MP Philip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats mid-debate.

The Commons voted 328 to 301 to take control of the agenda, meaning they can now bring forward a bill seeking to delay the UK’s exit date and therefore preventing a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

Twenty-one Tory rebels defied threats of deselection by voting for the motion.

Downing Street confirmed after the vote the rebels would have the whip removed, effectively expelling them from the party.

The rebels include Winston Churchill’s grandson Sir Nicholas Soames and former chancellors Philip Hammond and Ken Clarke.

Opposition MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion, including Labour St Helens MPs Marie Rimmer and Conor McGinn.

Following the defeat, the Prime Minister said he would bring forward a motion for an early general election.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned his party will only vote for a snap general election once parliament has prevented a no-deal Brexit

Following the debate, St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service Labour is ready to fight a general election, but only after no-deal is taken off the table.

Ms Rimmer said: “Tuesday’s vote was the first step in preventing Boris Johnson’s government from forcing upon this country a no-deal Brexit that has no mandate and would severely damage our economy.

“Labour is ready to fight and win a general election, but we must first ensure through legislation that any election called by this government is not used as a smokescreen to drag this country out on no-deal, by subverting the people and Parliament.

“Labour is putting the country before party – Boris Johnson’s Tory government is putting power before the people.”

St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer

Now MPs have succeeded in taking control of the parliamentary schedule they will try to pass a new law, but must act fast as Parliament will be suspended – or prorogued – as early as Monday, September 9.

The new law will force the government ask the EU to delay Brexit until January 31 and will be debated and voted on in the House of Commons today.

If passed, it could move to the House of Lords on Thursday.

The bill could then be given royal assent by the Queen and become law on Monday, September 9 – just before Parliament is prorougued.