Hurdles PM must clear

BRUSSELS: Boris Johnson is in a race against time to reach a deal ahead of the EU summit on Thursday. Even if the Northern Ireland border problem is solved, EU negotiators say there might not be enough time to finalise the details.

HARDLINE BREXITEERS: Several of the Tory MPs who voted against a deal in March are now in Government and are therefore expected to back an agreement. However others such as Steve Baker and Mark Francois will need convincing that the Prime Minister has not given too much ground.

DUP: The Democratic Unionist Party is anxious about suggestions that the PM could agree a customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

EX-TORY REBELS: Most of the 21 rebels stripped of the Conservative whip over their attempts to block No Deal, such as Philip Hammond and David Gauke, had backed Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement. But they may now insist on a confirmatory referendum.

LABOUR: Nineteen Labour MPs have signalled they are prepared to back a deal agreed by Mr Johnson and the EU. However, they are coming under intense pressure not to help the PM out.