THE BREXIT SHOWDOWN Boris’s blueprint gains momentum as string of MPs swing in behind PM’s plan
BORIS Johnson’s Brexit blueprint was gathering momentum at Westminster last night as hardline ‘ Spartan’ MPs signalled they were ready to drop their opposition to a deal.
In a dramatic turnaround, a string of Eurosceptic Tory MPs who rejected Theresa May’s deal three times indicated yesterday they could back Mr Johson’s proposals.
And several former Tories – kicked out of the party last month for voting to block No Deal – indicated they were ready to fall in line.
And a senior Labour MP predicted that as many as 30 of his party colleagues might be persuaded to back Mr Johnson’s deal – although party whips believe the figure is more like ten or 12.
At a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, Mr Johnson said he would adopt a tone of ‘ glutinous emollience’ in the coming days in a bid to win over wavering MPs.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the plan appeared to have a ‘very good chance’ of winning the support of MPs, adding: ‘We have the DUP, Conservatives who were previously opposed and some broad-minded and constructive Labour MPs. That seems to me to be a pretty solid majority.’
Downing Street was last night even considering the possibility of an ‘indicative vote’ on the plans in the coming days to demonstrate to Brussels that the PM can get a deal through Parliament.
The shift in mood came as Mr Johnson outlined his plans to the Commons for the first time yesterday. He told MPs that his plans, which have received a muted reaction from Brussels and hostility from Dublin, were a ‘genuine attempt to bridge the chasm’.
Mr Johnson is expected to hold talks with a string of EU leaders in the coming days in a bid to persuade them to agree a deal. He said the UK had ‘ already moved quite some way’ in the hope of securing a deal with Brussels, adding: ‘We have gone the extra mile.’
But despite No 10 suggesting this week that his plans were the ‘final offer’ to the EU, the PM indicated he would be willing to consider further concessions if Brussels agreed to engage seriously in the coming days. Mr Johnson urged MPs to ‘come together in the national interest behind this new deal’. He said ministers were prepared to leave without a deal at the end of this month but added: ‘This Government’s objective has always been to leave with a deal and these constructive and reasonable proposals show our seriousness of purpose.
‘They do not deliver everything that we would have wished, they do represent a compromise, but to remain a prisoner of existing positions is to become a cause of deadlock rather than breakthrough.
‘So we have made a genuine attempt to bridge the chasm, to reconcile the apparently irreconcilable and to go the extra mile as time runs short.’
Downing Street was buoyed by signs that many of the 28 Brexit ‘Spartans’ who helped to block Mrs May’s deal appeared to be ready to back down.
Steve Baker, the chairman of the powerful European Research Group of MPs, said that Eurosceptics could now ‘glimpse the possibility of a tolerable deal’.
Veteran Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash also welcomed the PM’s plans, while fellow hardliner Sir Bernard Jenkin said DUP backing for the deal ‘would change the whole chemistry of the way the Conservative Party thinks about this’.
Former minister Steve Brine, one of 21 Conservative Remainers kicked out last month, told Mr
‘Good chance of winning support’ ‘Change the whole chemistry’
Johnson: ‘ Those who want to avoid No Deal – like me, like him – now need to do the right thing and vote for a deal.’ While Alistair Burt, another of the exiled 21, said a deal ‘now seemed to be achievable’.
And former Tory minister Nick Boles, who quit the party over Brexit earlier this year, said Mr Johnson’s deal was ‘flawed’ but added: ‘Above all I want to see the UK leave the EU with a deal. So I must compromise. I would vote for this deal if the EU accepts it.’
Jeremy Corbyn moved to kill off the prospect of Labour MPs voting for the deal in significant numbers, with a hint that rebels would face discipline. The Labour leader, who has opposed every Brexit plan, said: ‘Deal or No Deal... they want a Trump-deal Brexit that would crash our economy. No Labour MP could support such a reckless deal.’ But some Labour MPs in Leavevoting areas indicated they could back a deal. Stephen Kinnock said as many as 30 Labour MPs might vote for Mr Johnson’s proposals rather than risk No Deal or a second referendum. Mr Johnson yesterday made a concerted effort to woo Labour MPs, dropping the confrontational style seen in previous Commons performances. He
told MPs: ‘ We will be ensuring that this country has the highest standards for workers’ rights and for environmental protections.’
Mr Johnson said he would ‘reflect’ on the idea of holding a vote on his plans ahead of a crunch Brussels summit on October 17. Some senior Tories believe a successful vote would pile pressure on Brussels to cut a deal.
No 10 last night said that the idea was ‘a possibility’.
But a source warned that there was a danger the plan could backfire if wavering Labour MPs decided to hold back from rebelling until a deal had been agreed with the eU. One insider said: ‘It will be hard to persuade Labour MPs to get on board – why ask them to do it twice?’