ON EVE OF SHOWDOWN, HOW BIG BEASTS LINE UP

While Theresa May battles to secure new concessions from the EU, her Cabinet is divided over what to do next. JACK DOYLE outlines the options on the table . . .

1 ‘MULTIPLE CHOICE’ VOTE

Education Secretary Damian Hinds broke ranks yesterday to call for MPs to be given the chance to vote on all the options on the table including:

MRS MAY’S DEAL

A NO-DEAL BREXIT

A SECOND REFERENDUM

THE NORWAY OPTION

This ‘multiple choice’ or ‘indicative vote’ is supported by several senior ministers. Some see it as a potential route to securing a second referendum, others as a way of encouraging MPs to back Mrs May’s deal in the end.

2 THE ‘MANAGED’ NO DEALERS

A group made up of Leave backers from the referendum and several ‘born again’ Leavers who later embraced Brexit. Leading figures such as Andrea Leadsom argue that the UK could pay for a short transition and do side deals with the EU to try to mitigate the disruption of leaving without a full agreement. Yesterday Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, left, said the UK would ‘flourish and prosper’ in the long term – while accepting there would be disruption.

3 THE ULTRA LOYALISTS

A third, significant group made up of longstanding supporters of Mrs May who will stand by her to the end, and not push for alternatives. Some have indicated she could delay Article 50 to avoid a no-deal Brexit and then reassess.

4 CANADA PLUS

The push for this looser trading arrangement comes from hardline Brexiteers outside Cabinet. Critics point out that the only such deal on the table from the EU would lead to barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK – in effect breaking up the Union.