THERESA MAY has survived an attempt to oust her as Prime Minister, as MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyn’s motion of no confidence in the Government by a margin of 325 to 306.
The Prime Minister’s 19-vote victory came less than 24 hours after the crushing defeat of her EU Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons, and clears the way for her to start cross-party talks on a Brexit Plan B.
Conservative rebels and members of the Democratic Unionist Party who consigned the PM to the worst defeat in parliamentary history on Wednesday rallied behind her to see off the threat of a general election.
Welcoming the result, Mrs May told the Commons: “I am pleased that this House has expressed its confidence in the Government.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly and my Government will continue its work to increase our prosperity, guarantee our security and to strengthen our union.
She invited leaders of opposition parties to take part in individual meetings with her on the way forward for Brexit, starting on Wednesday evening.
Mr Corbyn insisted that Mrs May take the option of a no-deal Brexit off the table before talks could go ahead.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader said that he welcomed the offer of talks but that the option for a People’s Vote should remain possible.
The DUP’s Westminster leader Nigel Dodds highlighted his party’s importance to the Government, with their votes giving Mrs May a majority in favour of her continued leadership.