Brexiteers are beaten - now we push for People's Vote

Prime minister Theresa May has won a vote of no confidence Photo: PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

For months headbangers in the European Research Group have threatened the prime minister.

Theresa May has battled on with the threat of dismissal hanging over her like a hapless, over-promoted manager whose probation period is perilously close to its end.

But now the ERG’s sword of Damocles has fallen. And they missed – they couldn’t even get that right.

The fact that the majority of the Tory party are happy to stumble on with May tells us a lot about those jostling to replace her – Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove. Bluntly, the Tories trust a weak and wounded May over anyone else.

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What a mess.

The hardliners have, for now, been defeated. They will grumble on, of course, about the 117 MPs who didn’t back May. They will cry ‘foul’ over the lack of time they had to prepare. Frankly: ‘You lost, get over it.’

May’s victory – as unconvincing as it was – offers up a real opportunity for the Remainers.

For the first time since taking the keys of Number 10 May must do something really bold.

Remain MPs – including those who want a People’s Vote – backed the prime minister. And now they must cash in their loyalty.

MPs, campaigners and we the people must seize this chance while the PM is still weak.

The leadership contest might have been won but the Brexit impasse is not broken. We must lobby harder than ever – the only way out is a People’s Vote.

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