Cracks emerge in Brexiteer ranks over ‘self defeat’

The Eurosceptic Tory rebels who sank Theresa May’s withdrawal deal were defiant last night in the face of warnings they risked losing Brexit altogether.

Conservative whips poured huge efforts into trying to win over Brexiteers by claiming their hostility to her deal could be self-defeating.

They were told by May loyalists their resistance would create political turmoil that could lead to a second referendum which overturned the 2016 one or a general election. Splits emerged in the anti-eu European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPS, which has led backbench opposition to Mrs May’s plans.

Several switched sides, including Nadine Dorries, who said she supported Mrs May’s withdrawal blueprint “because I felt the danger of a no-deal motion being tabled and then lost was too high to risk”.

Ben Bradley, a former Tory vice-chairman for youth, said: “I reluctantly voted for a deal I don’t like.” But the vast majority of ERG members stood firm on the grounds that Mrs May’s plans represented a betrayal of Brexit by keeping Britain tied to the EU.

Veteran Eurosceptic Peter Bone said: “Most people thought that what was proposed by the Prime Minister doesn’t deliver Brexit..”

Ex-brexit minister Steve Baker said: “The reason we voted against that agreement again ... is because it isn’t Brexit.”