British Prime Minister Theresa May will continue efforts to win over Conservative critics of her Brexit deal as MPs return to Westminster, but both wings of the party warned that the plan is unlikely to receive support.
As the Commons returns from its Christmas break, Mrs May is expected to step up efforts to woo potential rebels while working with Brussels on further safeguards to address concerns about the Withdrawal Agreement.
But a significant number of Tory Brexiteers remain opposed to the Withdrawal Agreement and appear relaxed about the prospect of a no-deal scenario with the UK leaving the European Union on March 29 with no transitional arrangements in place.
Former Cabinet minister John Redwood said a no-deal Brexit “will work just fine” despite the “idiotic” warnings about potential shortages of food and medicines.
On the other side of the Tory divide, pro-EU veteran Ken Clarke said Mrs May’s deal – which he would be prepared to support – is “dying” and he would be “amazed” if the mood of MPs had changed over the Christmas break.
Instead, he called for Brexit to be delayed until a way forward can be found.
The prime minister delayed a vote on her Brexit deal last month, with MPs set to resume debate on it on Wednesday ahead of a vote the following week.
She is said to be considering offering MPs further safeguards about the Irish backstop – the measure aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland which critics fear could leave the UK indefinitely bound into a customs union with the EU and prevent future trade deals with countries around the world.
But former Brexit minister Steve Baker rejected the proposals, saying they were a “tedious and desperate attempt to rescue an unsalvageable deal”.
The Daily Mail reported the prime minister is working on a “double lock” to put a time limit on the backstop.
Officials are reportedly drawing up a possible Commons amendment to the Brexit vote which would give parliament the right to serve notice to the EU of an intention to quit the backstop after 12 months if Brussels fails to agree a trade deal with the UK that would resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, Mrs May is also seeking a written guarantee from the EU that a trade deal can be agreed within 12 months of the transition period ending.
The Times reported that the Prime Minister will host Conservative Brexiteers for drinks on Monday and Wednesday as part of a charm offensive.
On Friday, Mrs May had a “friendly” call with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and the pair are expected to keep in touch next week, fuelling speculation about efforts to win further concessions from Brussels ahead of the Commons vote, widely expected to be on January 15.
As part of the no-deal planning, a major exercise will take place on Monday with up to 150 lorries testing out plans to use Manston airfield near Ramsgate as a mass “HGV holding facility” to alleviate congestion on the roads to the Channel ports.
Meanwhile, a dredger has been seen working in Ramsgate harbour, the port which is proposed as an alternative freight route to Europe if a no-deal Brexit results in chaos at Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
Article Source: http://tinyurl.com/kbwqb42
