North Wiltshire Liberal Democrats

Brexit latest

Following the Prime Minister's crushing defeat, there was a no confidence debate on Wednesday initiated by Labour. This was predictably defeated as Tory and DUP MPs all came dutifully into line. "No to Mr Corbyn". The most memorable bit of the debate (I exclude my own five minutes - the maximum allowed) were the concluding speeches. Tom Watson was excellent: measured and intelligently critical - everything his party leader wasn't. Michael Gove was barnstorming: eloquent, funny (including at my expense) and cruelly hard-hitting against Corbyn. Could we have been witnessing the next Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in action?

Last Tuesday night Theresa May lost the vote on her Brexit deal by 432 votes to 202. It's the biggest defeat by a Prime Minister in Commons history.

The next day, Jeremy Corbyn called a no-confidence vote in the Government. It failed.

Now, Theresa May wants MPs to vote on a deal that's barely different to the one we already rejected.

What times we live in. The SODEM team led by Steve have been outside my office with their cries of "Stop Brexit!" for the last two and a half years and earlier this week we came closer to doing that very thing. The vote was the biggest loss by a government ever and you, our members, contributed to that immensely. Each and every time we've asked you to get involved in the Brexit campaign over those last two and a half years you've stepped up to the plate and exceeded expectations. When the history of Brexit is written (if Tim Shipman isn't already writing it!) the Liberal Democrats will be at the heart of it as having led the way from start to finish for a people's vote and that's because of YOU.

There will be no progress until no deal is off the table. We won't vote for this needlessly destructive Brexit. We need a people's vote.

Theresa May's Brexit deal just lost in the Commons by 230 votes. This is huge - she's failed to convince her party, failed to convince Parliament and failed in her attempt to scaremonger MPs into backing her. It's the biggest loss in the Commons by a Government - ever.

Brexit is a national embarrassment.

Theresa May's botched Brexit deal goes to the Commons tomorrow night, and its chances are looking slim.

A Lords motion regretting the damage Brexit would do and rejecting no deal has passed by a stonking 169 votes.

Stonking majority of 169 in Lords defeating govt - 321 to 152 - with Opposition motion rejecting Brexit 'no-deal' & saying WA/PD damaging.
Glad to work on this, in conjunction with @RichardNewby3, with @HayteratLords & @LadyBasildon & others across the House

- Sarah Ludford 🔶 #FBPE #FinalSayontheDeal (@SarahLudford) 14 January 2019

The media's been laser focused on Theresa May's sinking Brexit deal. But today, 3 crucial bills have gone through the Lords, with significant Lib Dem input. We're fighting to:

• Protect the privacy of people who wear skirts
• Outlaw exploitative letting fees
• Allow people to go about their lives without the Government butting in

Two and a half years ago, on the steps of Downing Street, the Prime Minister promised to tackle society's burning injustices.

My constituents elected me to fight for a People's Vote and to keep our Union together.

I was glad to hear it. We could argue all day why people voted to Leave. But at the heart of it for many was a loss of faith in the basic promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you'll get on in life.

For more than two years, the Liberal Democrats have been leading the fight on Brexit. And it's working - a year ago, less than 20% of the British people wanted a final say - now a majority of the public want to have their say.

The full film launches on Monday evening at 7pm, and you will be able to watch it here: facebook.com/libdems/videos/542764446198355