A cross-party attempt to prevent a future prime minister from pursuing a no-deal Brexit has been narrowly defeated.
The move, tabled by Labour with SNP support, would have allowed opposition MPs to bring forward legislation aimed at preventing the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement on October 31.
But the government defeated the motion by 309 votes to 298 – a majority of 11.
After the result was announced, to glee from the Tory benches, Mr Corbyn was heard telling Conservative MPs: “You won’t be cheering in September.”
The shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, vowed the move would be the first of many such efforts.
He said: “Labour stands ready to use whatever mechanism it can to protect jobs, the economy and communities from the disastrous consequences of a no-deal Brexit.
“Any Tory leadership candidate should know that parliament will continue to fight against no deal.”
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay, speaking prior to the vote, said it was a “blind motion” that gave no indication as to what path MPs would try to pursue to block a no-deal departure, and would have “virtually unlimited scope”.
The SNP’s Europe spokesman Peter Grant said: “MPs had an opportunity to take steps to remove the threat of a disastrous no-deal Brexit.
“However rather than standing up for their constituents and respecting Scotland’s overwhelming vote to remain in the EU, Scottish Tory MPs shamefully voted to keep the catastrophic option on the table and to drive Scotland closer towards the cliff-edge.”
