Theresa May’s Brexit vote could be scrapped as Government plans to reopen talks with EU in hope of further concessions
According to the plan, the Government would pull the vote on Friday, two sitting days before the December 11 Commons showdown - PM would then demand reopening negotiations with the EU
THERESA May’s crunch Brexit vote in the Commons next week could be abandoned, The Sun can reveal.
Government whips have discussed plans to seek further concessions from the EU before putting the deal to MPs.
If pursued, the Government would pull the vote on Friday — two sitting days before the December 11 showdown.
The PM would then go back to the EU demanding to reopen negotiations.
The move would see Mrs May return either with decisive concessions to win over Brexit rebels — or final proof that she tried her best.
It was among options discussed in the chief whip’s office in recent days amid panic that the Government is on course to lose the vote by up to 200 votes.
The Sun understands that reopening negotiations before holding the parliamentary vote is backed by a string of senior Cabinet ministers, including Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Chris Grayling and Liam Fox.
Last week we revealed that ministers were mulling over whether to urge the PM to ditch her Commons vote.
A Cabinet source familiar with the whips’ plan said: “Many Tory MPs don’t think the PM has fought hard enough.
“The thinking is, have a row with the EU and then double down on this being the best deal we can get — there’s no other option and in the ensuing chaos, MPs opposed to the deal would back down.”
Whips also believe there would be fewer rebels in the final week before Christmas because some have planned holidays.
Another government source said they were resigned to losing next week’s Brexit vote “because the numbers haven’t moved at all”.
Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson claimed it was still possible to get a better deal — as long as Britain stands firm.
But No10 insisted it was still planning to hold the vote on December 11.
THE SUN SAYS: STILL TIME TO DEAL
THE Tories are deeply divided over Theresa May’sBrexit deal.
If the Withdrawal Bill vote takes place next week, and as we reveal on page two today there is no guarantee that it will, Mrs May will almost certainly lose.
What happens next will prove critical.
It is likely that the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn in No10 would rally the Tories into saving her in the light of Labour calling a no-confidence vote.
Mrs May should then return to the EU and demand the ability for the UK to end the backstop.
Amending this deeply unpopular proposal, which would likely trap us indefinitely in a customs union with the EU, would help salvage a deal.
Labour, meanwhile, do not have a plan.
One moment Mr Corbyn says Brexit can’t be stopped, then Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says Labour could back a second referendum if they can’t get a General Election.
Yesterday, Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said No Deal should not be on the ticket for a second ballot.
Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner then contradicted him shortly afterwards to say it should be.
Huge amounts of investment cash has left Britain over fears of these incoherent clowns crashing the economy.
For all our disappointment with the PM’s proposal, we do not question her sense of duty.
The same cannot be said of Labour’s Marxists.
If Mrs May is to unite her party and pass a deal, she must first go back to the negotiating table with Brussels and redraw the plan.
It is not too late, PM.
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