Labour’s Stephen Kinnock believes the loyal Tories will switch to backing the Norway option once the PM's deal is defeated a third time
MORE THAN 100 Tories currently “held prisoner” by Theresa May are ready to back a Norway style Brexit – its supporters claim.
Labour’s Stephen Kinnock said he believed a large number of loyal Tories – including Ministers “on the payroll” will switch to backing the Norway option once her deal is defeated a third time.
Mr Kinnock pointed out that 113 Tories voted for an extension to Brexit talks to avoid a No Deal.
He said: “We have already had very productive conservations with the leader of the opposition.
“And we feel that once Theresa May’s deal has fallen, we can win a large enough number of Conservative members to gain a parliamentary majority.”
It came as former Fisheries Minister George Eustice said he believed a majority of MPs would “get behind a variant of the Norway option”.
And sources claimed the SNP were being courted in the hope the Scottish Nationalists could at least ‘abstain’ on the idea tomorrow when the House is expected to be given the chance to vote on other plans.
The Norway/EEA membership model pushed by Mr Kinnock and Tories Nick Boles and Oliver Letwin would see Britain pay for access to the single market and accept free movement of immigration.
But Ministers could set their own rules on agriculture, fisheries and opt out of certain justice and home affairs legislation.
Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has repeatedly claimed Britain should go into the EEA for five years and negotiate a long-term trade deal with the EU from that position.
