WEST Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger was one of the 118 Conservative MPs who voted against Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement in the landmark defeat for the Government on Tuesday.

But Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow was among the 199 who supported the Prime Minister as she suffered a 230-vote margin of defeat.

Mr Liddell-Grainger told the Free Press that, after listening to his constituents, he had voted against the deal but was certainly not against the Prime Minister: “She did her level best, and more, to squeeze Brussels hard,” he said.

“Less capable Prime Ministers might have quaked and dived for cover in the face of defeat. Not this one.

“Instead, she faced up to what had happened and began to move the whole debate constructively forward.“Her critics may call this sticking-plaster politics and just another face-saving exercise, but I see grounds for real hope.”

Ms Pow said she was disappointed that the deal did not go through: “It is now beholden on us to move on. There are already many discussions on options underway – and I am involved in a number of these – to understand the best approach.

“This is an unprecedented time and a way forward, putting the country first, must be found, and quickly.”

Full report in tomorrow’s Free Press.