Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

1554155705

Brexit news - live: Tory MP quits in disgust after Commons votes to reject every single suggested way forward

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Benjamin Kentish

Political Correspondent

,Samuel Osborne,Adam Forrest,Chris Baynes,Tom Barnes

Monday 01 April 2019 16:40 BST

✕

Brexit: What happens next?

MPs have rejected all alternative Brexit options put forward in indicative votes as one Tory MP quit seconds after results were announced claiming the party “refuses to compromise”.

The Commons turned down options to pursue a Common Market solution, a second referendum and the revocation of Article 50. A Customs Union proposed by Ken Clarke was rejected by just three votes.

Moments after the vote took place, Tory MP Nick Boles resigned the party whip claiming his colleagues “refuse to compromise”. His Common Market 2.0 proposal had been defeated 261 votes to 282, with 228 Conservatives voting against.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load...

Public splits between rival cabinet ministers had deepened earlier in the day ahead of the key votes.

Tory chief whip Julian Smith said the government should have accepted earlier that it would “inevitably” need to settle on a softer Brexit, but Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said such an outcome would be “incredibly problematic”.

Mr Smith also hit out at his cabinet colleagues, saying they were the “worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history”.

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Show all 30

1/30Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London

AP

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

AP

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

PA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

EPA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square

Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square

PA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament

EPA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament

REUTERS

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square

AP

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament

EPA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters march outside parliament

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London

PA

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside parliament

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament

Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A man holds satirical paintings of politicians

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament

Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

Reuters

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament

Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament

AFP/Getty

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

PA

As we await the results of the indicative votes, keep yourself glued to our live coverage for analysis of all the drama in parliament:

Chris Baynes1 April 2019 20:38

People's Vote campaigners have just projected a striking image onto the outside wall of parliament calling for a referendum on any Brexit deal chosen by MPs:

Chris Baynes1 April 2019 20:44

Here's some footage of that People's Vote image:

Chris Baynes1 April 2019 20:52

Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, has used a series of tweets to explain his opposition to the UK remaining in the customs union, which MPs are voting on tonight:

Chris Baynes1 April 2019 21:12

It appears Tory Brexiteer David TC Davies has spoiled his indicative vote ballot paper...

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 21:42

The results of the indicative votes are expected shortly. Initially expected at around 10.30pm, it seems the speaker could now be ready to announce the figures much sooner.

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 22:04

BREAKING: MPs reject all four Brexit options proposed in indicative votes

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 22:06

All four Brexit options presented in the indicative votes have been rejected by MPs. Here are the margins, the closest being Ken Clarke's Customs Union proposal, where "Noes" secured a majority of just three:

Customs Union: Loses 273 – 276

Common Market 2.0: Loses 261 – 282

Confirmatory referendum: Loses 280 – 292

Revoke Article 50 in no-deal situation: Loses 191 - 292

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 22:12

Nick Boles has just resigned the Conservative Party whip after his Common Market 2.0 proposal was voted down by the Commons.

“I have failed chiefly because my party refuses to compromise,” he said. I regret therefore to announce that I can no longer sit for this party.”

Two weeks ago Boles resigned from his local association after they disagreed with what he was doing in the Commons to block a no-deal Brexit. At the time he said he wanted to carry on taking the Conservative whip in the Commons. But now he has quit the whip too.

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 22:17

Tom Barnes1 April 2019 22:29

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies