Jacob Rees-Mogg could help Theresa May save her Brexit deal by winning round Tory rebels
The top Brexiteer has suggested he could work with the PM after her massive Commons defeat
JACOB Rees-Mogg today emerged as an unlikely Brexit peacemaker - hinting he could help Theresa May save her deal.
The top Tory admitted he may end up backing the withdrawal agreement rather than risk losing Brexit altogether.
It comes as senior MPs tell the PM her deal could succeed if she ditches the hated Irish backstop plan.
Mrs May is desperate to save her career and avoid a snap election by finding a way forward on Brexit.
More than 100 Tories rebelled against her on Tuesday night to vote against the withdrawal agreement she thrashed out with Brussels.
Today Mr Rees-Mogg extended an olive branch to the PM, offering to work with her on Brexit.
He : "If I had to choose between No Deal and Mrs May’s original accord, I would have no hesitation of opting for No Deal Brexit - but even Mrs May’s deal would be better than not leaving at all.
"The biggest obstacles within the Prime Minister’s current deal are the backstop and the £39billion we currently propose to give to Brussels but for which we get nothing in return.
";If Mrs May can persuade the EU to show flexibility on these, we could get the deal through the Commons."
Even Mrs May’s deal would be better than not leaving at all
Jacob Rees-Mogg
After the crunch vote on the deal, Mr Rees-Mogg hosted a party for the pro-Brexit European Research Group that he leads.
But his offer to help Mrs May will come as a boost to her hopes of getting her deal through at the second attempt.
Some senior Brexit-backing MPs have come to believe that if they don't end up backing the deal, Remainers will manage to keep Britain in the EU.
Tory backbench chief Sir Graham Brady today called on the Government to put a time limit on the Irish backstop.
Brexiteers fear the proposal, which is meant to keep the Irish border open, would keep Britain tied to the EU permanently.
How will this all end? Brexit outcomes explained
GOING SOFT
A cross-party group of MPs are frantically pushing an alternative Soft Brexit plan which could replace Mrs May's deal.
It would be welcomed by big business - but Brexit voters would be unhappy because it would mean Britain accepting open borders, and following European rules without a say.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
HARD AS NAILS
Most of the Tory Brexiteers who oppose the PM's deal want her to return to Brussels and strike a tougher line.
But Eurocrats currently insist it's impossible to re-open negotiations.
HOW LIKELY? 2/5
REFERENDUM RE-RUN
Dozens of MPs are hell-bent on forcing Mrs May to hold a second referendum so Britain can stay in the EU.
Yet without the support of the Government it's unlikely the second vote could become a reality.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
If Mrs May cannot pass a deal, the legal default is that we will leave the EU without a deal on March 29.
Despite the legal position, the majority of MPs insist they will take any measure necessary to rule out No Deal.
HOW LIKELY? 4/5
MAY TRIUMPHS - EVENTUALLY
Cabinet ministers remain adamant that a version of Theresa May's plan will eventually pass the Commons, even after losing last night.
They believe sceptical MPs will lose their nerve as Brexit Day approaches - terrified of either No Deal or a second referendum.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
Sir Graham : "Improbable as it may seem, the only thing left standing when the smoke clears is Mrs May's withdrawal agreement.
"Wobbly, deeply flawed, and virtually friendless, the agreement might none the less be the only bridge left standing that can lead us to freedom.
"All we need to do is make the backstop explicitly temporary. We don't need the whole agreement reopened, just a legally binding codicil that prescribes an end date or allows one or both sides to leave it unilaterally."
Ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab called on the Government to return to Brussels and demand changes to the backstop.
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Ministers are reportedly hoping to strike an agreement on the backstop directly with Ireland's government. But sources in Dublin have insisted any talks must involve the EU as a whole.
Mrs May's aides have also floated a last-ditch plan which would see the PM announce her departure date in a bid to win over MPs who want to see her gone by the summer.
Tomorrow she will make a statement in the House of Commons underlining the next steps following her record defeat on Brexit.
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