May fighting for her political future
THERESA MAY is battling to save her Brexit deal and maintain her grip on power ahead of tomorrow’s Commons showdown.
The Prime Minister warned Tory MPs they risk handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to Number 10 unless they back her Brexit deal.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay insisted that the vote would still go ahead tomorrow amid speculation Mrs May might be forced to delay the vote in a last-ditch effort to avoid defeat.
Ahead of the crunch vote, former Cabinet ministers including Boris Johnson refused to rule out leadership bids.
A serving minister also conceded that Tory MPs could quit the party over the Brexit plan.
Meanwhile, Labour said it would work with other Opposition parties to decide what to do if Mrs May crashes to defeat.
The Prime Minister warned Tory wouldbe rebels the country would be in “uncharted waters” if the deal is rejected.
“It would mean grave uncertainty for the nation with a very real risk of no Brexit or leaving the European Union with no deal,” she told a national newspaper.
“We have a leader of the Opposition who thinks of nothing but attempting to bring about a general election, no matter what the cost to the country.
“As someone who cares passionately about my country and my party, I believe Jeremy Corbyn getting his hands on power is a risk we cannot afford to take.”
Reports suggested Mrs May could make an emergency trip to Brussels ahead of a planned summit on Thursday in an effort to secure further concessions in an effort to win over critics of her plan.
Tory MP Will Quince quit as a ministerial aide to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, while the Sunday Telegraph reported that another parliamentary private secretary was on the verge of quitting and Cabinet Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt was considering whether to back the deal or resign.
She has not backed Mrs May’s deal yet, but has said she supports the PM.
Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said he would back the deal – but indicated that unless it was passed quickly, he might support a second referendum because the original decision to Leave may “no longer represent a reflection of current intent”.
Mr Johnson pointedly refused to rule out challenging Mrs May, although he insisted it was “nonsense” to suggest he was already lining up members of his Cabinet.
Asked to give an “absolute, categorical promise” that he would not stand against the Prime Minister, Mr Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I will give you an absolute, categorical promise that I will continue to advocate what I think is the most sensible plan.”
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve suggested that the Tory party could split over Brexit. But Brexit minister Kwasi Kwarteng rejected the prospect of a full schism – although he acknowledged some MPs may quit the party.