British lawmakers begin voting in no-confidence motion against U.K. government

British members of Parliament are beginning to vote in a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Theresa May's government that was brought by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. The vote is not expected to oust the government. The Conservative and pro-Brexit European Research Group, which was instrumental in bringing a leadership challenge against May in December that ultimately failed, said they would back the government. The Norther Irish Democratic Unionist Party is also expected to back the Tories. Should Parliament express it has no confidence in the government after all, and no other government can gain confidence within 14 days, a general election would have to be called. May earlier said when addressing Parliament that having a new general election would be the worst possible option. U.K. stocks and bonds were closed at the time the vote began, and the British pound was little changed at $1.2858.

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