how can you make your community a better place to be? >> voices from the road on c-span. abc parliament looks back at major events in the u.k. since september. topics include brexit negotiations and prime minister aeresa may surviving no-confidence vote. this 30 minute program is hosted by bbc elisa mccartney. ♪ ♪ >> welcome to westminster in repeal. -- in review. >> welcome to westminster in review. brexit divisions deepen. theresa may faces a vote of no-confidence in her leadership.

>> the number of votes cast of having favor injuries in may was 200 and again was 117. >> mps react furiously when the prime minister presents brexit. >> it is the political equivalent of jumping out of the plane without you knowing if there is a parachute attached. >> and the chancellor unveils his budget and the mps are forced to take a long look at themselves after a damning report on bullying. >> the report is clear that there needs to be a complete change in leadership including at the most senior level. >> it has been an unpredictable few months in westminster, which ended in high drama. of a confidence vote demanded by theresa may's own mps. ballot isult of the

that the parliamentary party does have confidence. >> here, here! >> the prime minister won that 200-117, but how did we get to this moment of division? we will be following the path that led to that challenge. theresa may's warning signs of trouble ahead have been there for months. she had no majority in the comments relying on 10 democratic unionists to win votes and her party was fundamentally split between those who passionately wanted to remain in the european union, and those who wanted to leave. even so she had gone on a , promotional trip to africa in august. believing she had a plan. she hoped to sell it to the european union. she sold britain's roadmap for leaving the european union.

but the proposal was rebuffed. and the bad tempered fallout from those talks led may to make a blunt statement. theresa may: throughout this process, i have treated the european union with nothing but respect. the u.k. expects the same. a good relationship at the end of this process depends on it. major sticking point, how to prevent a physical porter springing up between northern ireland and the irish republic. more on that a little later. ,hile brexit dominated issues there were other problems to deal with. working universal credit is the -- working universal credit aims to help people into work. but there are opponents. there are warnings of dire consequences if this remained

unchanged. one mp said universal credit was pushing women into it -- in his area into prostitution. >> it is not going as well as we are told in the house of commons. some women have taken to the red light district for the first time. >> we need to work with those ladies and see what help we can give them. i might add perhaps he could tell these ladies and the workers, there are record job vacancies, 830,000. and perhaps there are other jobs on offer. >> she became one of a handful

of ministers who quit the -- to quit the government over brexit. the news emerged a day after a fiercely critical report on the failure of high-level figures in parliament to deal adequately with bullying. including sexual harassment of staff members at westminster. >> i firmly believe the only possible way to resolve this matter is both entirely independent of an external to parliament to hear all allegations of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. >> there needs to be a complete change in leadership at the most senior level. sorry to hear of this of thence as members

house of commons staff. i speak to them when i say you deserve so much better. this is quite a devastating litany of details of bowling -- bullying. todayhing i have heard fills me with any hope that politics will be taken out of this. we all know exactly who these people are and they are getting away with it. to weaver on -- we were on brussels, the big stumbling block for the northern irish backstop.e

this insurance policy would kick in the end of 2020 if a wider section cannot be found. plans to enter into a temporary customs arrangement with the european union. future relationship in place by the first of january 2021? spent conservative party the past two years arguing with itself instead of negotiating a sensible deal in the public interest. >> the european union will not accept any deal that does not include the backstop of northern ireland. the european union has made it clear the backstop is designed to keep northern island as part of the customs union

territory -- ireland as part of the customs union territory. >> there were some important domestic goings-on with the bank of westminster. chancellor posed a traditional photograph outside of 11 downstring street. he commented on public spending, the minimum wage, and tax thresholds. he has had to make some tough decisions. >> i can report to the british people their hard work is paying off and austerity is finally coming to an end. >> here, here! >> what we have heard today are half measures and quick fixes.

far from people's hard work and sacrifice having paid off, this government has frittered it away in ideological tax cuts. the budget statement shows a chronic lack of understanding of all that we face. womenhave nothing for facing pensions. weeks ago, the world of scientists issued their warning that we have 12 years to avoid climate catastrophe. we have nothing about clean energy. ♪ family,rs of the royal politicians, veterans, and the

public, came together on remembrance day. it commemorated the end of world war i. around 6 million troops are thought to have died. hrince charles laid a wreat on behalf of the queen. theresa may was joined by jeremy corbyn. thousands of people filed past the memorial. portraits of casualties of the war were drawn on beaches around the country. there was a reflection on the aftermath of the conflict. >> the increasing alienation of germany, the failure of the united states to engage properly in the global commons, the agreements on the division of the remnants in the ottoman

empire, all of these things let us to a much darker abyss than the one in which we emerged. all the men who had died in breast, marched full a 4ken from 9 a.m. monday to saturday to pass. >> tributes were paid to prince charles a few days later on his 70th birthday. a -- praise of his public service. >> he has a great and wide-ranging love of music. hearmarked, if i

rhythmic music, i want to get up and dance. >> jeremy corbyn reflected on his charity work and his love of the plant and animal kingdom. >> i can supervise with the prince -- sympathize with the prince's desire to talk to plants. they are better listeners than many members of the house. >> an announcement was made at the head of the world aids day. he was lauded by mp's for speaking out. suspended fors failing to declare two holidays pay. a veteran human rights lawyer

resigned, summoning allegations of sexual harassment. tributes to lady trumpington, who died at the age of 96 in november. she served as a health minister in margaret thatcher's government. she became something of a celebrity late in life. there wasvember, finally a breakthrough in the talks. talked abouters the divorce deal between the european union and the u.k.. it was 585 pages.

this sestak the framework for the future relationship -- sussed out the framework for the future relationship between the two. the prime minister faced a hostile commons again. northern ireland was the cause of those tensions. the european union wanted reassurance that if an agreement can be reached on the backstop, it would not lost -- not last forever. >> we need accuracy. it is the legal text that matters. this binds the country. the backstop is bad for the union. tell us what is so bad for the union?

>> teresa explains why the u.k. would not want to enter the backstop. >> we want to have a trade policy. one of the issues is whether or not we would be able to do that. >> mps wanted to see all the legal advice behind the withdrawal agreement. the government's chief law officer asked questions on that summary. advice would be fundamentally in the interest of the country. it is no use shouting. what i am trying to do is guard the public interest.

it is time they grew up and got real! >> here, here! >> opposition mps were not satisfied. ministers were found in contempt of parliament. ministers weren meanin iron, but it did the government backed down. third defeat for ministers in the commons. this had more significance for brexit's future. mp'sss party group of allowed mps to make changes to what was put before them. theresa may's brexit was voted down. >> it is disrespectful of the role of this house we should end

up with a situation in which we of a motion ofen consideration. 321.e ayes to the right, the no's, 299. >> a triple whammy for ministers. all of this provided an unwelcome backdrop as mps began five days of debate. this was the big one. reached a major milestone in brexit negotiations. tots spring up overnight house the mass ranks of journalists. tensions mounted.

40 hours had been set aside in the commons. what would happen at the end of the fifth day of debate? everything unraveled for the government. split within the conservative party and the commons reared up again. i can't believe there is anyone who sincerely believes the deal we have before us is a good deal. i think this is the right thing. >> there was lingering anger over mr. johnson's role as the leader of the brexit campaign. >> we are in this mess because of him. we only deal -- the only

deal on offer does not recover our sovereignty. it means there is no voice in shaping those rules. opposedormer ministers the deal. >> it is not politically or practically deliverable. politicalhe equivalent of being asked to jump out of a plane without knowing if a parachute is attached. scenario ise brexit modeled by the treasury. [indiscernible] >> the prime minister did have supporters who praised her doggedness and determination. one quoted a poem by lewis

carroll. >> which includes the following lines -- the principal failing occurred in the sailing. he had hope at least when the wind blew due east that the ship would not travel due west. come, let us go forward together and settle this now. tensions continued to with more conservative mps. there was the grim task of mons concernedcom that the remaining two days of the debate had been pulled.

>> i am curious as to what has been said within this chamber and out of it. >> [laughter] sides.embers from all it is clear that while there is broad support for many key aspects of the deal -- >> [laughter] >> one the northern irish backstop, there remains widespread and deep concern. despair at then state of these failed negotiations. there are concerns about what this means for their jobs and likelihood. -- livelihood. >> does she not realize every time she comes back with her tail between her legs, she humiliates the british people? when will she stand up to the european union?

>> members across this house don't want your deal, prime minister. way to break the deadlock to put it to the people? howoes she not realize chaotic and ridiculous this makes our country look? people outside these walls of cb shambles of the government. these walles see the shambles of the government. >> is anything changing the view of the british people? yes it has. [jeers] >> don't be fooled by the

christmas banter. anger among mp's was growing. mace,abbed his ceremonial without which the commons cannot debate or vote. theatrics were the least of theresa may's worries. she was desperate to get something on the northern ireland border. many mps had had enough. party had 15%ve confidence.ng no leadership ballot is triggered. the magic number was reached in december. the numbers were telling.

testhe number of those vo cast having favor in theresa may was 200. no favor, 117. no further confidence vote can take place. >> this has been a long and challenging day. >> theresa may have listened to the concerns of those -- had listened to the concerns of those who voted against her. but critics said this was devastating. facecan't meant another challenge for a year. opposition to her brexit deal remained insurmountable. ae went back to brussels for concession.

she was caught on camera in a testy exchange with the commission president. to returned to the commons try and say there could be progress on the irish border. had to go further. we never wanted to use this backstop. the prime minister has run down the clock, trying to maneuver parliament in a choice between her deal or no deal. >> the european union are cliningging to this agreement. they know they have concessions which will allow them to extract even more concessions from the u.k. government. puttingnd ourselves

party before country. we have a prime minister putting her own interests above party and country. westminster watches can remember that it was the most bitter four months in p arliament. brexiteers and their oppenents are further apart than ever? >> it positions that way. positions seem certainly entrenched. letters of no confidence went against the prime minister. it looks like she has

supporters. but her opponents are out to get her. that is driving the wings of the party apart. for observers are looking any hint that labor is going to shift its position. there is still the general election. all options are on the table. >> parliament appears to be gridlocked. could it be giving parliament a vote on all the different options might be the way forward? >> it is interesting>> to hear senior cabinet ministers talking about this. may's brexitesa deal is not going to happen. but what will happen next?

separate operation going on with the cabinet. doesn't have enough power to force a point of view on theresa may? >> there will be guidance going on. she is being lobbied within the cabinet. theresa may is convinced she can still get backing for her deal. she is very much sticking to her own position. perhaps ministers will have enough time to reflect on this process. it is quite unusual to have such an unpredictable cabinet. >> thank you. mps have now left for their

christmas break. have a wonderful season. we will be back with you when parliament returns on monday the seventh of january. >> here on c-span this morning, is nextton journal" live with your calls and a look at today's headlines. at 10:00, we show you our stops from our city tours from hawaii. and then we look at the impact of ridesharing services. including it were. >> coming up on today's "washington journal" a look act at major events for act if

military and veterans in the last year with leo shane from military times. and then we continue with sarah kendzior discussing her book, "the view from flyover country -- dispatches from a forgotten america." host: good morning and welcome to "washington journal." the government shutdown in its eighth day with no immediate end in sight with republicans and over the in a deadlock demand for a border wall between the united states and mexico. it has hundreds of thousands of federal employees on furlough are working without pay and headed towards financial distress days after the christmas holiday and with the house switching to democrats immediateanuary, no resolution in sight. is the government shutdown worth it over the border