Will Theresa May’s ‘improved’ Brexit deal be enough for MPs?
Jean-Claude Juncker warns ‘there will be no third chance’ after last-ditch talks
Theresa May says she has secured “legally binding” changes to her Brexit deal to ensure the so-called Irish backstop will not “become permanent”.
MPs will vote on the deal later but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has already dismissed the changes, saying they are not “anything approaching” what the prime minister had promised.
The new assurances are a “hollow victory” for May, The Guardian says, and Brussels has “conceded next to nothing”. But according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “Monday morning government blues have been replaced by Tuesday morning nervous hopes” and predicts that the changes “will move some of the Prime Minister's objectors from the ‘no’ column to the ‘yes’”.
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.
The Daily Mail hails the moment as a “critical breakthrough” but Sky News says that the Prime Minister’s “11th-hour dash to Strasbourg” might not be enough to prevent “another humiliating Commons defeat”.
One unnamed cabinet minister says that May is now “back in the races” but Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said the outcome of the talks showed the Brexit negotiations were in disarray.
A “joint legally binding instrument” on the withdrawal agreement has been agreed, which May said could be used to start a “formal dispute” against the EU if it tried to keep the UK tied into the backstop indefinitely.
Additionally, a “joint statement” commits to replacing the backstop with alternative arrangements by December 2020. Third, a “unilateral declaration” states the UK's position that there is nothing to prevent it from leaving the backstop arrangement if discussions break down.
Following the talks, May said: “Today we have secured legal changes. Now is the time to come together, to back this improved Brexit deal, and to deliver on the instruction of the British people.”
Sitting next to May, Jean-Claude Juncker warned MPs if they do not back the deal on Tuesday night “there will be no third chance” and warned: “It is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all.”
When May's withdrawal agreement was put to MPs in January, it was voted down by an historic margin of 230. If it's rejected again this evening, a further vote will be held tomorrow on whether the UK should leave without a deal.
If that no-deal option is rejected, MPs could get a vote on Thursday on whether to request a delay to Brexit from Brussels.
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
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
'Europe is now beginning to tackle its military to-do list'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, 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 Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published