Series of Commons votes on Brexit deal unlikely to bring much clarity
Labour’s no-confidence motion does not oblige May to move forward vote on deal
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a motion of no-confidence in Theresa May. Mr Corbyn’s motion of no confidence is in the prime minister herself rather than in the government and has no constitutional significance
Jeremy Corbyn’s motion of no confidence in Theresa May will give MPs an opportunity this week to register their displeasure at her refusal to put her Brexit deal to a vote before Christmas. If the DUP and some Conservative Brexiteers take the bait, it will provide another embarrassment for the prime minister.
But it is not a vote of no confidence in the government and it cannot oblige May to bring forward the vote on her Brexit deal from the date in mid-January she announced in the House of Commons on Monday. Nor does it move Labour closer to a position of advocating a second referendum, as many of the party’s anti-Brexit supporters would like.