May: The Klingon Prime Minister
MAY WINS CRUNCH VOTE
THERESA May clung on to power last night after she survived a leadership challenge.
The Prime Minister was forced into a no-confidence vote but keeps her job by a majority of 83 votes.
On a dramatic evening in Westminster, 200 of her MPs threw their support behind her but 117 – more than a third of her party – rebelled against her.
In a desperate bid to stave off the hounds she has now promised to jump ship once Brexit is complete next year.
Speaking to backbenchers an hour before the crucial poll, Mrs May is believed to have promised not to fight the next General Election.
She said: “I realise that we will need a new leader with new objectives for the 2022 election.”
Promises
Mrs May was forced into a no-confidence vote after 15% of her MPs issued letters calling for her to go.
Enemy Jacob Rees-Mogg blasted the “terrible” result, adding: “She ought to resign immediately.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed the outcome “makes no difference to the lives of our people”.
He said: “The Prime Minister has lost her majority in Parliament, her government is in chaos and she is unable to deliver a Brexit deal that works for the country.”
Ahead of the ballot, 174 Tories publicly promised to stand by their leader.
The result was announced by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, at 9pm.
The poll came after she humiliatingly pulled a Commons vote on her plans for Britain’s EU exit after it became clear she would lose.
Many rebels accused her of lying to keep her job.
One Brexiteer MP said: “Even if May promises not to fight the next election – we won’t trust her on that.”