EDDISBURY MP Antoinette Sandbach was one of just six Tory rebels to vote against the Government yesterday (Wednesday) in a vote which could have given MPs the power to stop Britain leaving the EU.

The attempt to secure a so-called "meaningful vote", tabled by Conservative MP Dominic Grieve (who went on to vote against his own amendment), was defeated by 319 votes to 303.

Cheshire West Labour MPs Chris Matheson (City of Chester), Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) and Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) voted with Ms Sandbach for the amendment.

The Grieve amendment would have ensured MPs could amend and vote on any government motion if there was no deal on leaving the EU by January 21 next year.

Ms Sandbach, speaking in the House of Commons before the vote took place, said leaving the EU in a 'no-deal' situation would be “utterly catastrophic.”

She added: “We are often accused of wanting to tie the Government’s hands, nothing could be further from the truth.

“Not to have a process in place should negotiations collapse would be irresponsible. And what is more, this amendment will ensure that when the PM sits down to negotiate, she does so with the full backing of parliament.

"Far from binding the prime minister, it strengthens her hand."