May hopes to use extra time to win over critics as ‘Brexit fudge’ leaves bitter taste
THERESA MAY’S task in getting a Brexit withdrawal agreement through the Commons with a divided party and a razor-thin majority was always going to involve some major compromises.
And protesters gathered outside the Palace of Westminster summed up the hard choices the beleaguered Prime Minister has had to make as they held up showed off a likeness of Mrs May hold up bags of ‘Brexit fudge’.
Yesterday in the Commons Mrs May finally acknowledged what many MPs have been saying for weeks – the Government was heading for an overwhelming defeat if it pressed ahead.
Mrs May said she will go back to Brussels to seek fresh assurances from the EU about the operation of the so-called Northern Ireland backstop – the key sticking point for many MPs.
She will hope to use the breathing space to win round enough of her critics to rescue the agreement
– although, given the level of hostility to her deal, that could prove to be a tall order.
It is fair to say many critics were not impressed. MPs warned
simply “tweaking” the backstop would not be enough to allay their deep-rooted concerns.
Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said the likelihood of a no deal Brexit had now increased, stating: “I think we should aim for managed no deal.
“But, I’ve made clear and I’ll happily reiterate we need a new Prime Minister to do that.
“If you look at today this is the failure of the Prime Minister’s policy. The Withdrawal Agreement was her policy.”
EU leaders were quick voice their dismay, while making clear there was no appetite for reopening negotiations on the Brexit deal at this late stage.
European Council president Donald Tusk hinted at some wriggle room, however, suggesting they could look at ways to “facilitate UK ratification” when leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday.
For the moment the Government is not saying when the rescheduled vote will be, although it looks likely to be early in the new year as MPs return to Westminster on January 7 following their Christmas break.
Ministers could still decide to go before Christmas if they feel the tide is turning in their direction, but if the Government loses all bets are off.
A leadership challenge, a vote of no confidence, a General Election, the formation of a government of national unity, a “hard” no-deal Brexit, or a so-called “people’s vote” with an option to remain in the EU are just some of the possible outcomes being talked about at Westminster.
We should aim for a managed no deal, but we need a new PM to do that. Conservative backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg.