DUP saved PM from defeat - and they won't let her forget that
Speaking immediately after the result, the DUP's Westminster leader reminded the PM that her victory was down to them.
Wednesday 16 January 2019 22:18, UK
Theresa May has won a no-confidence vote in her government, allowing her to continue as prime minister.聽
In a turn of events which you really couldn't make up, Mrs May won the vote thanks to Conservative and DUP support by a margin of 52% to 48% - the same as the EU referendum.
The vote was tabled by Jeremy Corbyn, who warned in his opening speech that the prime minister can no longer run the country because she has lost the support of the House of Commons.
After hours of debate and widespread support from her MPs, Mrs May asked the Environment Secretary Michael Gove to sum up the debate.
He gave a well-received speech in which he listed the reasons Mr Corbyn should never be allowed to lead the country, using the words of a former Labour MP against him.
John Woodcock, who now sits as an independent member of the Commons, had told MPs the Labour leader is not fit to govern.
Mr Gove's speech united Conservatives, who cheered and waved their papers as his rousing address came to an end.
Tom Watson, Labour's deputy leader, gave a reflective speech to sum up Labour's argument for a general election in which he said the prime minister's character and lack of empathy stood in the way of her reaching a new deal.
The prime minister was widely expected to win the vote so Labour's loss comes as no surprise, but without the backing of the DUP she would have been in trouble.
Speaking immediately after the result the Westminster leader of the DUP, Nigel Dodds, reminded Mrs May that her victory was down to him, saying it illustrated the importance of the "supply and confidence" arrangement with the Conservatives.
In a speech after the vote Mrs May invited party leaders to Downing Street for talks on Brexit next steps, adding that the meetings would begin this evening with Jeremy Corbyn.
However the Labour leader stood straight away to warn he would not take up her offer unless the prime minister ruled out a "no-deal" Brexit.
She did not have the chance to respond to the call, but Mrs May has repeatedly said she wants the UK to leave the EU with a deal - although "no-deal" remains the legal fall back option if nothing can be agreed.