Johnson pleads for votes in Brexit deal

Firming support as Irish MPS stand opposed

LONDON • Prime Minister Boris Johnson is within touching distance of getting the U.K. parliament to support his Brexit deal Saturday after he won the backing of up to a dozen Labour MPS.

Johnson said the nation would breathe “a great sigh of relief” if a deal was finally passed, and called on parliament to “do its duty.” He told MPS there was “no better outcome” than his deal.

Current estimates suggest up to 319 MPS are on board for the deal, with 312 against and around eight undecided.

However, Johnson faces a last-ditch attempt by Tory rebels and Labour to downgrade the status of the vote and force him to request a Brexit extension, even if the deal passes.

If successful, the vote would be merely “indicative,” with no legal status rather than the clean win the prime minister desires, through a “meaningful” vote.

There are also fears that the Letwin amendment could open the door to attempts to wreck upcoming legislation.

Johnson spent Friday personally calling MPS to plead for their support. Tory whips were optimistic that they could reach the 320 votes needed for victory.

Friday night Melanie Onn, who represents Leave-supporting Grimsby, became the 11th Labour MP to confirm or indicate they would back the deal, cancelling out the 10 DUP MPS who will reject it. Onn said she had made her decision as “the risk of letting this final shot at a deal slip through our fingers is too great.” Tory whips were counting on the support of 283 Tory MPS, 11 Labour MPS, 17 former Tories who lost the whip and eight Independents, meaning they needed just one more MP to back the deal for it to pass.

Among the promises made to Labour MPS for their support was a commitment that Brexit legislation due to be debated next week would contain increased protection of workers’ rights and environmental standards in domestic law, key concerns for Labour.

Several powerful businesses urged parliament to back the deal, including Barclays Bank, Prudential, BAE Systems, Diageo and Linklaters.

MPS sit today on “Super Saturday,” the first time the Commons and Lords have been convened at the weekend since 1982. A vote on the deal is expected by late afternoon.