Tories tell Theresa May to cancel tomorrow's meaningful vote
MPs fear a three-figure defeat as talks with European Union are deadlocked
Senior Tories are urging Theresa May to pull tomorrow’s meaningful vote on her Brexit deal if she fails to secure significant concessions from Brussels.
With talks between the UK and the EU deadlocked, leading Conservative MPs have warned that the prime minister could face another three-figure defeat if she presses ahead with her plan.
The BBC’s political correspondent Chris Mason agrees, saying: “the prospect of another big loss looms”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tory MPs have advised May to replace the planned vote with a motion setting out the kind of Brexit deal that could keep the party together. They feel such a move would send a clear message to the European Union about the kind of concessions that might secure a parliamentary majority.
Senior party source told The Times: “It has been made clear to Downing Street that it would be eminently sensible to avoid defeat by proposing a motion that the party can support. Whether they listen or not is another matter.”
Former Tory chief whip Andrew Mitchell agreed with the proposal, saying: “Anything that avoids what looks like a massive defeat on Tuesday is worth considering.”
The Guardian paints a bleak picture for Theresa May, saying that “many of her Conservative colleagues are behaving as though it is only a matter of time before the removal men turn up at Downing Street”.
They quote one Conservative MP as saying: “Give it a few months and the only negotiations Theresa will be doing are how much she can get for an appearance on Celebrity Bake Off.”
Talks between the UK and Brussels will resume this morning with the aim of securing changes to the deal before the vote due tomorrow.
If Tuesday’s vote goes ahead and May's deal passes, the UK will leave the EU under the terms of the deal on 29 March. However, if as expected it is rejected, MPs will vote on whether the UK should leave without a deal.
If that vote sees them reject a no-deal Brexit they are then due to vote on whether to request a delay to Brexit from the EU.
However, the EU is preparing to impose “punitive conditions” on Britain as a price for agreeing a Brexit delay, the Daily Telegraph says.
Member states are reportedly “hardening” their attitudes towards a delay and will demand “legal and financial conditions” including a multi-billion pound increase to the £39bn divorce payment.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published