Tory Rebels Win Crucial Vote In Bid To Block No-Deal Brexit

Rebel Tories helped to inflict a major defeat on Boris Johnson as MPs against a no-deal Brexit won their battle to take control of parliament’s timetable. 

Opposition MPs now have Commons time on Wednesday to push through a new law that stops Johnson from wrenching the UK from the EU without a deal on October 31. 

The government lost the vote by 328 to 301, in a huge blow for the new prime minister, who threatened Tory MPs with deselection if they defied him. 

The prime minister responded to the defeat by confirming he was tabling a motion to call for an early general election.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn suggested his party could block a fresh poll until it was guaranteed in law that no-deal Brexit was ruled out, telling Johnson: “Get the bill through first.” 

Downing Street also confirmed that the 21 Tory MPs who rebelled, which includes ex-chancellor Philip Hammond and Winston Churchill’s grandson sir Nicholas Soames, will be sacked as Conservative MPs by Johnson. 

A spokesman said: “The chief whip is speaking with those Tory MPs who did not vote with the government this evening. They will have the whip removed.”

Johnson has been at the centre of the anger after he made the shock decision to shut down parliament for five weeks, as the UK hurtles towards the Halloween deadline. 

Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, who proposed the emergency Brexit debate, said tomorrow is now “decision time” for those who want to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

The legislation, which will be tabled by Labour on Wednesday, if passed would force Johnson to seek a delay to Brexit unless by October 19 MPs back a deal or no-deal.