Tag: collective responsibility

7.16pm MPs back the amendment by 312 votes to 308, defeating the government. 7.42pm Tory whips attempt to force MPs to vote against the amended motion they had effectively already backed. 8.09pm Sarah Newton, a junior pensions minister, resigns after defying the whip to vote against the government. And then a separate group of cabinet ministers, David Mundell, Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke, abstained in the face of a three-line whip, rather than vote against the amended motion taking no deal off the table. One MP described the prime minister’s deal during Tuesday’s debate as a “turd”. Which Tory MPs defied the government on the no-deal Brexit vote? Parliament just said we are not going to leave, effectively. We have got to the point where if cabinet ministers can’t vote for a long-term government position on Brexit on a three-line whip they have to go, frankly. If May doesn’t [sack them] I think we are in total freefall.” Bradley added: “The prime minister needs to lead, frankly and show that there are consequences for defying the whip.” Simon Clarke, another Brexiter, said he was “angry and bewildered at having a gun to my head for a wretched deal. Brexit chaos in the Commons: what just happened?