Prime Minister Theresa May has warned that no Brexit at all is the most likely outcome if MPs reject her withdrawal deal today, as she sought to persuade MPs to back her. With a clear majority of parliamentarians set to oppose her deal, the PM is doing whatever it takes to make it a close result, potentially enabling her to return with a second amended deal in the future were the EU to agree to changes. Meanwhile, President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, sent a letter offering assurances over the temporary nature of the Irish backstop.
However, May faces severe pressure as Government whip Gareth Johnson resigned yesterday, insisting that the could not “in all conscience” support the government's position. Also, Conservative MP Nick Boles said he and his colleagues are eager to push against the withdrawal deal and then to hand over the process of determining a Brexit strategy to the House of Commons Liaison Committee.
Allies claim German Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered May last-minute help after saying the European Union could grant extra concessions if MPs reject her deal. In the first of two speeches on Monday, May insisted her deal was “worthy of support” because it put laws back in the control of the British people. She said, “While no deal remains a serious risk, having observed events at Westminster over the last seven days, it is now my judgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in Parliament that risks there being no Brexit.”
