It was the second time in a week that MPs held “indicative votes” to try to find a way forward and rejected every option.

But fears intensified that a soft Brexit fudge could be on the way after a surge in support for the UK staying in EU customs union.

MPs voted by 276 to 273, a wafer-thin margin of just three votes, against a customs union proposal tabled by veteran pro-Brussels Tory MP Kenneth Clarke.

A proposal for a Norway-style relationship with the EU, including free movement for EU citizens, gained support after winning the backing of Labour but was still rejected by 282 votes to 261.

A call for a second EU referendum was rejected by 292 votes to 280 while a demand tabled by the Scottish National Party demanding the cancellation of Brexit was rejected by 292 votes to 191.

After the vote, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said: “This is now the second time the House has considered a wide variety of options for a way forward.

“It has once again failed to find a clear majority for any of the options. And yet the result of the House on Friday not to endorse the withdrawal agreement means that the default legal position is that the UK will leave the EU in just 11 days’ time.

“To secure any further extension the Government will have to put forward a credible position to the EU on what we would do with the extra time.”

He added: “This house has continuously rejected leaving without a deal just as it has rejected not leaving at all.

“Therefore the only option is to find a way through which allows the UK to leave with a deal.

“The Government continues to believe that the best course of action is to do so as soon as possible.

“If the House is able to pass a deal this week it may still be possible to avoid holding European Elections.

“Mr Speaker, Cabinet will meet in the morning to consider the results of tonight’s vote and how we should proceed.”

Former Tory minister Nick Boles, who tabled the Norway plan, announced he was quitting the Tory party after his idea was rejected.

Raising a point of order, he told the Commons: “I have given everything to an attempt to find a compromise that can take this country out of the European Union while maintaining our economic strength and our political cohesion. I accept I have failed. I have failed chiefly because my party refuses to compromise.

“I regret therefore to announce I can no longer sit for this party.”

After the vote, Mr Clarke said: “Three is quite near. We cannot go on with everybody voting against every proposition.”

Leading Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “My concern is that the Prime Minister is more concerned to avoid a no-deal Brexit than anything else.

“And therefore I am very concerned that she could decide to go for a customs union tacked on to her deal.”

Tory MP Lucy Allan said: “What is going on in Parliament right now is a farce. Parliament is trying to wrestle control from 17.4 million people.”

Trapped International Trade Secretary Liam Fox warned: “To join a customs union with the EU, like Turkey has done, would leave us trapped – unable to conclude proper trade agreements with countries around the world.”

“Voters chose to take back control and now MPs want to give even more away.”

Source: Read Full Article