Fallout from UK Government defeat as MPs prepare for confidence vote in Theresa May

Theresa May faces a vote of no confidence today as she reels from a crushing defeat over her Brexit deal.

Her government is expected to win the vote after the DUP said it will back the Prime Minister despite voting against her Brexit deal.

The withdrawal agreement has taken May over two years to build, but she has faced criticism that she has not consulted other parties, devolved administrations or even her own backbenchers during that time.

The deal was defeated by a majority of 230 last night, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn immediately tabled a motion of no confidence.

He said: "I am pleased that motion will be debated tomorrow so this House can give its verdict on the sheer incompetence of this government and pass that motion of no confidence in this government."

Acting Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said the Prime minister could build parliamentary consensus.

He said: “Those MPs who opposed the deal this evening should now set out, quite specifically, how their own alternatives might work, how they would respect the referendum, and how they will secure a majority in parliament.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is travelling to London to prepare SNP MPs for the no confidence vote.

“We want UK to stay in EU which is why we back a Peoples Vote. But it is becoming increasingly clear that Scotland’s wider interests will only be protected with independence,” she said.

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Lesley Laird said: “Tonight’s vote confirms what we already knew – that Theresa May's deal is bad for Scotland and bad for the UK.

“The Prime Minister has lost all authority and there is a clear need for a General Election to break the deadlock.

"Labour's alternative plan for Brexit would protect jobs and workers' rights, and bring the country together.

"The next Labour government will end austerity, invest in our people, our communities and our industries, and to transform our society so it works for the many, not the few.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “This is a historic and devastating defeat for the Prime Minister. Her deal is in tatters. So is her credibility.

“With public services at risk, what happens next is too important to be left to an utterly divided Conservative party.

“When she returns to Parliament, the Prime Minister should announce plans for a People’s Vote, giving power back to the British public to decide how they want to proceed.”