Mrs May’s defiance

‘Mr Speaker, the House has spoken and the Government will listen. It is clear that the House does not support this deal. Tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support. Nothing about how or even if it intends to honour the decision the British people took in a referendum Parliament decided to hold.

People, particularly European Union citizens who made their home here and people from the UK living in the EU, deserve clarity on these questions as soon as possible.

Those whose jobs rely on trade with the EU need that clarity.

First, we need to confirm whether this Government still enjoys the confidence of the House. I believe it does but, given the scale and importance of tonight’s vote, it’s right others have the chance to test that question if they wish to do so.

I can therefore confirm that, if the Official Opposition table a confidence motion this evening in the form required for the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, the Government will give time to debate that motion tomorrow. [Jeremy Corbyn later did so, with a vote to be held today.]

Second, if the House confirms confidence in this Government I will then hold meetings with my colleagues, our confidence-and-supply partner the DUP and senior Parliamentarians from across the House to identify what would be required to secure the backing of the House. The Government will approach these meetings in a constructive spirit, but given the urgent need to make progress, we must focus on ideas that are genuinely negotiable and have sufficient support in this House.

If these meetings yield such ideas, the Government will then explore them with the European Union.

I want to end by offering two reassurances. First, to those who fear Government strategy is to run down the clock to 9 March: This is not our strategy. I have always believed the best way forward is to leave in an orderly way with a good deal and have devoted most of the last two years negotiating such a deal.

We respect the will of the House [on the Grieve amendment for a ‘Plan B’] and we will table an amendable motion on Monday.

My second reassurance is to British people who voted to leave the European Union in the referendum two-and-a-half years ago. I became PM immediately after the referendum and I believe it’s my duty to deliver on their instruction and I intend to do so.

Every day that passes without this issue being resolved means more uncertainty, more bitterness and more rancour. The Government has heard what this House has said tonight but I ask members on all sides of ’ the house to listen to the British people who want this issue settled. And to work with the Government to do just that.