Cabinet ‘will demand to see a Plan B’
CABINET ministers are to demand a ‘Plan B’ for Brexit if Theresa May’s deal is heavily defeated tonight.
Senior Tory sources warned that the Prime Minister could not expect indefinite support for her plan if the Government is routed in tonight’s vote.
They said ministers will demand she finally takes sides in the Cabinet battle over whether to pursue a softer Brexit or try to manage the worst effects of a ‘no-deal’ exit from the EU.
Allies of Mrs May last night indicated she would tell MPs tonight that she will continue to pursue her deal even if it is defeated. One ally said: ‘What alternative is there? The EU has been very clear that this is the deal that is on the table.’
Mrs May said: ‘Nobody has yet come up with an alternative Brexit deal that is negotiable and that delivers on the result of the referendum.’
Though Mrs May cannot be ousted by backbenchers until the end of this year, senior Tories warned she must retain the confidence of the Cabinet if she is to remain in post. One said: ‘If we lose by 100 or 200, she cannot just carry on as if nothing has happened.’
Mrs May is being pulled in different directions by rival Cabinet factions made up of those urging her to pursue a softer Brexit, such as Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, and those who believe this would not honour the referendum result, including former remainers and Brexiteers such as Commons leader Andrea Leadsom.