What could the EU offer May to swing Brexit vote?
‘Exchange of letters’ promising post-Brexit trade deal by 2012 aimed at bolstering PM ahead of crunch Commons showdown next week
The European Union could be set to offer Theresa May one final concession to help her win over wavering MPs ahead of next week’s crunch vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal.
Various reports suggest the European Commission will offer an “exchange of letters” confirming the EU’s intention to conclude trade talks with the UK by 2021.
The correspondence under discussion would flesh out language already included in the withdrawal agreement “but it is hoped its clarity could persuade some MPs of the EU’s intention to avoid triggering the Irish backstop”, says The Guardian.
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.
Despite frantic telephone diplomacy over Christmas, May has been forced to abandon her pledge made to Tory MPs in December to secure a “legally binding” power for the UK to break free of the Irish backstop, if implemented.
The Daily Telegraph says “rather than focusing on time-limiting the backstop itself, the idea is to shift the focus on to the future, setting a date for the new trade relationship to come into force”, says the paper.
Downing Street has said it is hopeful of securing written political and legal reassurances from the EU in the coming days, before the meaningful vote anticipated on Tuesday next week.
However, The Independent understands that Number 10 has accepted the “reassurances” it is seeking on the backstop will not come before the withdrawal agreement returns for debate in the Commons on Wednesday.
This means “MPs will begin debating Theresa May’s Brexit deal in the dark about any changes made” says the news site.
Downing Street is set to hold a series of receptions this week to woo MPs but Newsnight’s political editor Nick Watt says: “As things stand, the prime minister is heading for a serious parliamentary defeat because she is confronted by two apparently immovable objects. They are: no appetite in the EU to make substantive changes to the Brexit deal, and opposition from the Democratic Unionist Party to parts of the deal regarding Northern Ireland.”
“But Whitehall is picking up signs of movement in the EU which would, in an ideal world for No 10, persuade the DUP to support the prime minister”, says Watt.
The DUP are seen as crucial to Theresa May’s hopes of getting her deal through Parliament. They have been vocal opponents of the prime minister’s backstop plan, but were she to win them over it could persuade other reluctant Tory Brexiteers to come on board, potentially swaying the few Labour MPs needed to get the bill over the line.
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
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, 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
-
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