Out of one lions’ den and into the other...

Q&A

What does Mrs May do now? The PM goes to Brussels this morning, where she will get a chance to update EU leaders and answer questions. After a private session, European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jeanclaude Juncker will hold a press conference at 6pm. The EU is also expected to step up no-deal preparations.

What is her gameplan?

The PM is seeking help from the EU to win over Tory MPS. More than 100 have spoken out publicly against her deal – in addition to the Democratic Unionist Party which props up her regime. Her only realistic chance of getting her deal through Parliament is to persuade sceptical Tory and DUP Brexiteers we will not be trapped in the Irish border backstop indefinitely.

How will she try to tweak her Brexit deal?

Downing Street has several ideas. One is to ask Brussels for a letter of intent on the political declaration, which could include the EU defining “temporary” as lasting as little as three years. Mrs May’s officials are also hoping to agree a clearer route out of the backstop through a legal “codicil” to the withdrawal agreement.

Will she get what she wants?

Unlikely. Tusk is keen to help “facilitate UK ratification” but she will come up against a brick wall if she proposes any legal alterations to the deal. Juncker told her this week there was “no room” to renegotiate the backstop.

Will her plans be enough to buy off her Tory rebels?

Probably not. They have dismissed the idea of a letter from the EU as a “figleaf” and demanded legally binding assurances, which the EU has refused to give.

When will the meaningful vote take place?

Downing Street has confirmed that the postponed vote will take place before January 21 but technically she has until the eve of Brexit on March 29.

What other options are on the table?

In a word, everything. Jeremy Corbyn has said it is a matter of “when, not if” Labour tables a no-confidence motion against the Government. Much depends on the DUP, with rumours they might vote against the PM at first and back her in the second vote, on condition she steps down. But it is improbable a new Brexiteer leader would get the Commons behind them. If Labour then failed to form a government, a general election would follow under the Fixed Term Parliament Act.

What about a second referendum?

Mrs May has ruled it out but senior Number 10 sources believe this is where the country could end up. It is also Labour’s second-choice option.

CONFERENCE Tusk, right, will speak at around 6pm