Rebel Tories helped to inflict a major defeat on Boris Johnson as MPs against a no-deal Brexit won their battle to take control of parliament’s timetable.
Opposition MPs now have Commons time on Wednesday to push through a new law that stops Johnson from wrenching the UK from the EU without a deal on October 31.
The government lost the vote by 328 to 301, in a huge blow for the new prime minister, who threatened Tory MPs with deselection if they defied him.
The prime minister responded to the defeat by confirming he was tabling a motion to call for an early general election.
But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn suggested his party could block a fresh poll until it was guaranteed in law that no-deal Brexit was ruled out, telling Johnson: “Get the bill through first.”
Downing Street also confirmed that the 21 Tory MPs who rebelled, which includes ex-chancellor Philip Hammond and Winston Churchill’s grandson sir Nicholas Soames, will be sacked as Conservative MPs by Johnson.
A spokesman said: “The chief whip is speaking with those Tory MPs who did not vote with the government this evening. They will have the whip removed.”
Johnson has been at the centre of the anger after he made the shock decision to shut down parliament for five weeks, as the UK hurtles towards the Halloween deadline.
Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, who proposed the emergency Brexit debate, said tomorrow is now “decision time” for those who want to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
The legislation, which will be tabled by Labour on Wednesday, if passed would force Johnson to seek a delay to Brexit unless by October 19 MPs back a deal or no-deal.
Calling on MPs to back the motion to wrest control of parliament, Corbyn said MPs “cannot stand idly by” and accept the prospect of no-deal.
“I want to pay tribute to those who have shown the political courage to boldly stand up for what they believe in to bring this debate to the House,” he said. “The bullying and the threats to MPs opposite from their own side is unprecedented.”
Corbyn added that the UK’s economy is in a “fragile state”, and said now is not the time to impose a no-deal Brexit on the country.
He said: “What we are asking MPs today to do is to rule out playing Russian roulette with this country’s future.
“With our industry, with out National Health Service, and with people’s jobs and livelihoods all at stake for their trying to retain power.”
He added: “If we don’t act today, we may not get another chance. Whether people voted Leave or Remain they did not vote to shut down democracy.”
It came on a night of high drama as hundreds of anti-government and anti-Brexit protesters cheered on calls for a general election at a rally in Parliament Square outside Westminster.
Crowds also applauded speakers criticising austerity policies who addressed them from a small stage erected in the square.
Protesters carried placards bearing anti-Boris Johnson and anti-Brexit slogans, such as “Tories Out”, “No to Boris Johnson” and “Stop Brexit!”.
Chants of “Boris out” also echoed around the square next to the Houses of Parliament.
Down by nearby College Green a mass of demonstrators waving EU flags gathered by tents erected for the media to sing songs and chant “stop the coup”.