THE Government suffered its biggest defeat in history after MPs rejected the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal.

It has led to a call for a second crucial vote, this time on the Government itself.

North Essex MPs who are backing Brexit were party to the crushing rejection of the EU Withdrawal Agreement but said they were not willing to oust their own party from power.

They have pledged support for the Government ahead of tonight's vote.

NORTH Essex MPs will play their part in the biggest Government defeat in history.

They could not support Prime Minister Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Agreement so joined the 230 MPs in rejecting the proposal.

Following the crushing defeat, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stepped up to call for a vote of no confidence in the Government.

But that was a step too far for our Conservative MPs.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Colchester MP Will Quince said he would continue to support the Prime Minister but unless the controversial Irish backstop proposal is amended, the UK could be in for a bad deal.

Mr Quince said: “For the vote of no confidence I will be voting with the Government, as well many other MPs, there is no question.

“What happened on Tuesday night was deeply regrettable, but the backstop is unacceptable.”

He added: “I have huge respect for the Prime Minister, she has a very tough job.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

A spokesman for Witham’s MP Priti Patel told the Gazette she voted against the Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday night.

However, she would not indicate how she would answer the confidence motion, which will take place this evening.

In a post on Twitter before the vote on Tuesday the Witham MP wrote: “As the Parliamentary debate on the Withdrawal Agreement concludes it’s worth reminding ourselves that 17.4 million people did not vote Leave in 2016 only to find that in 2019 a so-called Withdrawal Agreement would keep our country under the thumb of Brussels Meaningful Vote.

“With the Withdrawal Agreement, the European Courts of Justice will continue to pass judgements affecting our control.

“So much for taking back control of our laws.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Bitter memories - MP John Whittingdale

Hard-line Brexiteer John Whittingdale, who is MP for Maldon, said despite previous criticisms of Theresa May he would support the Government in the confidence vote.

He added: “I am confident every Conservative MP will vote for the Government.

“Had the deal been approved on Tuesday we may have seen the DUP withdraw their support from the Government, which would have seen us lose our majority.

“With the Government being defeated in a way that has helped us in this vote.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: James Cleverly, Conservative Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley.

Braintree MP James Cleverly was the only north Essex MP to back Mrs May’s Brexit deal.

He said he was confident the Prime Minister would be supported in the confidence vote.

He said: “It’s very clear what people don’t want after the vote but we now need to know what people do want.

“What we all have to do is work out what is really important for this country and then look at the things which we can compromise on.”

He added: “I think the chances of a No Deal Brexit have increased but I also think the chance of Brexit not happening at all have too.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin has lobbied for the UK to leave the EU since he was elected in 1992.

Despite voting against the Withdrawal Agreement, he said he thought the Conservative party is the only one which could deliver Brexit.

He said: “All the key leave supporters in the Conservative Party voted against the deal on offer from the EU because it represents a long, dark tunnel of uncertainty costing £39 billion with no free trade deal guaranteed at the end of it.

“Theresa May is now in a strong position to go back to the EU and to tell them to change the agreements so it is acceptable to the House of Commons and that would be the best thing.

“I have no doubt Parliament has made the law that we leave on March 29 and it is difficult for that to be changed.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Clacton MP Giles Watling said he would support the Government in the vote of no confidence, despite voting against Mrs May’s Brexit deal.

He said: “We need to resume negotiations quickly, rather than waste time trying to form a new Government.

“In those negotiations, we must address the issue of the backstop.

“I do not believe we should have a second referendum, nor extend or revoke Article 50. A second referendum would bring even more uncertainty and division.

“Extending Article 50 merely prolongs the agony and will achieve very little.”