Theresa May’s Brexit deal can go from zero to hero if she just ditches Irish backstop, says Iain Duncan Smith
THERESA May’s hated Brexit deal was branded “a load of b*****ks” by Iain Duncan Smith on Saturday.
But the former Tory leader admitted a few tweaks could swiftly turn it into “the dog’s b*****ks”.
He signalled that Brexit-backing MPs could rally behind the PM if she can persuade EU chiefs to ditch the dreaded backstop.
Senior Tories have given Mrs May a fresh glimmer of hope ahead of her another crunch Commons vote this week.
Rebels who helped inflict a humiliating defeat a fortnight ago are ready to back an MP’s bid to strengthen her arm when she goes into battle in Brussels.
They will back an amendment by Sir Graham Brady stating they will support the deal if the backstop – which could keep the UK locked indefinitely in the Customs Union and unable to strike its own trade deals - is swapped for “alternative arrangements”.
In a further boost, the DUP is preparing to throw its weight behind the move – giving Mrs May and the EU an opening to break the deadlock.
Mr Duncan Smith, who has held private talks with the PM, said: “Many people now think she has got to go back to the EU and seek changes to her agreement.
“The most important one will be to replace the backstop with an alternative protocol that will not damage the UK’s chances of striking trade deals with non-EU countries.
“That’s the position of many Brexiteers right now. But we wonder if that’s where the PM is.”
Brexit deal can go from 'load of b*****ks' to 'the dog's b*****ks' with a few tweaks
IDS on Theresa May's Brexit deal
He added: “Her deal is a load of b*****ks but with a few decent tweaks she could turn it into the dog’s b*****ks.
“I was opposed to the Prime Minister’s deal for very good reason. The question for me now is what does SHE want?
“It’s not clear how sure the government is about delivering on the referendum. That would mean leaving the door open to No Deal and going back to the EU and demanding significant changes. If she does then that’s great. If not, then all the discussions of the past few weeks have been pointless.
In a second boost, Cabinet sources said the government now believes the EU is about to blink first on the backstop.
It has become increasingly clear it is the main sticking point and with 61 days until Brexit, its removal would provide a life-saver for Mrs May, a solution for Brussels and a face-saving climbdown for Brexiteers and Leavers alike.
About 15 to 20 Brexit hardliners are said to be looking for a “ladder” to end their stand against the deal – amid fears Remainers could force Britain to stay in the EU.
But the powerful European Research Group, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, has privately warned the PM she must set out exactly what concessions she will seek from the EU if she is to win back their full support.
They insist she doesn’t need to extend Article 50 as we have agreed to a two-year implementation period.
On Saturday she was given a further boost as the Irish government’s insistence on the need for a backstop collapsed into chaos.
Dublin’s Europe minister Helen McEntee was forced to take to the airwaves promising never to erect a hard border hours after her PM Leo Varadkar warned troops could be deployed to man crossings in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Britain’s former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson said: “The Irish government is clearly in disarray over the backstop.
“They have stirred up hysteria over the border as a mechanism to bully us into staying. There is no need for any infrastructure on the border if they listen to experienced voices from Northern Ireland like David Trimble and cooperate constructively on our proposals to use existing customs techniques and processes within existing EU customs law.”
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