Theresa May Survived A Confidence Vote In Her Leadership Over Brexit.
Theresa May has quashed an attempt by her own party to dethrone her in the crucial final stages of Brexit.
The vote of no confidence, which came down 200—117 in favor of May, was first triggered on Tuesday night after 48 of her own MPs filed letters calling for a new Conservative party leader.
“We now need to get on with the job of delivering Brexit for the British people and building a better future for this country,” May said, speaking outside No. 10 Downing Street immediately after the result was made public.
She survived the first vote of no confidence against a Conservative party leader since 2003 when Iain Duncan Smith was ousted and Sterling rallied 0.8% against the Dollar to $1.26 ahead of her victory.
"This has been a long and challenging day," the Prime Minster added. "But, at the end of it, I’m pleased to have received the backing of my colleagues in tonight’s ballot."
However, while her tone remained defiant, despite her renewed mandate the Prime Minister still faces a torrid time ahead with three questions hanging over her premiership.
Firstly, having promised Parliament a vote on her controversial Brexit withdrawal bill, this vote is still unlikely to pass without the support of the Labour Party, the Irish DUP, or without compromise from Europe
Outside Downing Street May noted the hurdle, saying she'd be seeking “legal and political assurances” from Europe to resolve concerns around the Irish backstop which many fear could lock the U.K. into Europe.
Secondly, there are question marks whether, even if Parliament falls in line, whether Europe will sign everything off in time to hit the fast-approaching 29 March deadline when the U.K. will leave Europe.
And thirdly, if we look beyond 29 March, with 117 Conservative MPs not supporting the Prime Minister and the DUP questioning the "supply and confidence" arrangement which has enabled the government to pass laws until now, can May still command enough votes in parliament to effectively govern.
Today Theresa May may have narrowly survived yet another blow to her premiership, as she wrestles with Brexit and against her own party, but in the coming weeks it certainly won't be the last.
