PM’s deal ‘only real option’

Just 3 in 10 want MPs to reject her plan in key Commons vote

Pressure on MPs to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal grew last night as fresh evidence emerged suggesting the public believes it is the only realistic option.

In a new Daily Mail survey, people were asked if they thought MPs should vote for the deal on the basis that it is the best on offer – and the eu will not offer a better one.

According to the study, four in ten agreed – compared to three in ten against.

The finding suggests a majority of voters believe the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal is the best Britain is likely to get, and that MPs should take it.

The survey found that ideally, the public would want MPs to vote against Mrs May’s deal by 46 per cent to 31 per cent. But when asked if they should vote for it on the basis that it is the best deal on offer and the eu will not offer a better one, they are in favour by a margin of 40 per cent to 30.

The survation poll also indicates support for MPs’ controversial decision to give Parliament a greater say over Brexit. A total of 48 per cent said they were glad the move appeared to make leaving with ‘no deal’ less likely; 28 per cent said they disapproved. The public’s deeply conflicted feelings towards the Brexit crisis are clearly demonstrated in the survey.

Fifty per cent say voting to leave in 2016 was a mistake, compared to 34 per cent who said it was not.

But the figures are reversed almost exactly when voters are asked if there is time to stop Brexit before the uK leaves on March 29 next year. A total of 46 per cent say it is too late to change the decision; 30 per cent say it is not. Although voters are pleased that giving Parliament a bigger say reduces the prospects of the uK leaving the eu with ‘no deal’, they are under no illusions as to the motives of the predominantly remainer MPs who led the move.

A total of 39 per cent said it was an attempt to stop Brexit altogether; 35 per cent disagreed. similarly, while Mrs May can take comfort from support, however unenthusiastic, for her Brexit plan, many voters hold her responsible for losing three key Brexit votes in Parliament on Tuesday in little more than an hour.

A total of 50 per cent say she should resign as a consequence with 24 per cent opposed. Tory supporters are more sympathetic: 35 per cent say she should go but 44 per cent say she should carry on.

Furthermore, in contrast to rebel Tory MPs threatening to use her expected defeat in next week’s Commons Brexit deal showdown as the trigger to oust her, the party faithful clearly want her to survive.

sixty per cent of Conservatives say she should continue as leader, even if she loses, against 29 per cent who say it will be time to go.

Asked which option they prefer if Mrs May loses the vote on her deal, 43 per cent want to stay in the eu; 28 per cent favour ‘no deal’ and 20 per cent say she should try to win more concessions from Brussels.