Clouds gather over May’s reign with 48 hours to save Brexit deal
BRITAIN’S future hangs in the balance as Theresa May has just 48 hours to save her Brexit deal and stave off the collapse of her Government.
The Prime Minister warned rebel Tory MPS they risk handing power to Jeremy Corbyn unless they back her agreement, as she struggles to maintain her grip on the keys to Number 10.
It comes amid widespread speculation she will seek to delay tomorrow’s vote on her EU divorce deal in the face of almost certain defeat.
Last night, one Tory MP told The Herald he and others had personally urged the PM to pull the vote, saying: “I don’t think we will be voting on Tuesday.
“Colleagues are not ready to commit hari-kari. I know senior ministers have been urging her to not go ahead with the vote and go to Brussels to demand a time-limit on the backstop.
“That would satisfy the DUP and a lot of Conservative MPS.”
It has also emerged that discord has broken out within the Scottish Conservative group at Westminster over how some of the 13 MPS have not yet publicly declared their intention as to whether they will
back or oppose Mrs May’s plan. One suggestion is they will rebel in the aim of securing Government jobs under another leader.
A senior source said some colleagues had a “beef” with Scottish Secretary David Mundell over the fishing industry and transition period issue and were unhappy they had been passed over for junior Government roles.
“Claims they are undecided are completely disingenuous,” declared one insider. “People feel they have been overlooked. They are preparing to rebel for their own interests and not in the national interest.”
Another asked: “Are undecided Scottish Conservative MPS simply being ambitious? Apparently, they have so blotted their copy books only a change of leader gives them any hope. A new leader would mean a vacancy at Dover House[the Scotland Office].”
Meanwhile, Tory figures including former foreign secretary Boris Johnson have refused to rule out leadership bids, while Labour insists it is ready to step in “straight away” and form a minority government as soon as Wednesday.
Mrs May, however, said the UK would enter “uncharted waters” if her deal is rejected tomorrow.
She said: “It would mean grave uncertainty for the nation with a very real risk of no Brexit or leaving the European Union with no deal.”
Yesterday it was reported the Prime Minister was considering delaying tomorrow’s vote in a desperate bid to secure further concessions from Brussels.
But this was dismissed by Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, who insisted it would go ahead as planned.
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve also suggested the Tory party could split over Brexit, as speculation mounted that further resignations are due in the coming days.
It comes as the European Court of Justice is expected to deliver its final ruling on whether the UK can unilaterally decide to halt Brexit this morning.