MPs might not vote on May’s new Brexit plan for a MONTH - meaning the UK would be just weeks from crashing out of the EU

  • Theresa May will outline her next steps for Brexit after last week's huge defeat 
  • Today's statement will pave the way for more crucial votes of MPs next Tuesday
  • Even if May finds a way forward a vote to approve a deal will not be until February
  • Failure then would leave Britain without a deal with just six weeks until exit day  

By TIM SCULTHORPE, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

MPs might not get to vote again on the Brexit deal until the middle of February even if Theresa May gets backing for her Plan B next week. 

If the deal fails for a second time then, Britain will be around six weeks from exit day on March 29 with no deal in place. 

The Prime Minister will outline her next steps in a statement to Parliament this afternoon and MPs will vote next Tuesday, January 29.

But even if those votes show a clear way forward, Mrs May will likely still need to go to Brussels for another round of negotiations.

And the law demands she hold a specific vote to approve the deal - the same vote she lost by an historic 230-vote margin last week. 

That vote will need a further debate before it can be held, likely to be for at least a day - pushing the calendar into the middle of February.

MPs are currently due to take a half term recess in mid February, rising on Valentine's Day, though this is likely to be cancelled if the deal passes so the necessary laws can be rushed through.

MPs (pictured last week after backing the PM in a confidence vote) might not get to vote again on the Brexit deal until the middle of February even if Theresa May gets backing for her Plan B next week

MPs (pictured last week after backing the PM in a confidence vote) might not get to vote again on the Brexit deal until the middle of February even if Theresa May gets backing for her Plan B next week

The Prime Minister (pictured arriving at Downing Street today) will outline her next steps in a statement to Parliament this afternoon and MPs will vote next Tuesday, January 29

The Prime Minister (pictured arriving at Downing Street today) will outline her next steps in a statement to Parliament this afternoon and MPs will vote next Tuesday, January 29

Mrs May will unveil her Brexit 'Plan B' today - trying to win over Tory Eurosceptics and the DUP by securing more concessions from the EU.

The PM has been scrambling to find a way through after her deal was humiliatingly crushed in the Commons last week.

But in a conference call with Cabinet last night Mrs May effectively ruled out trying to find a cross-party consensus - instead making clear she will focus her efforts on bringing Brexiteer rebels and the DUP back onside.

The approach has been branded 'one more heave' by ministers, but it is far from clear that the EU is willing to give enough ground on the crucial Irish border backstop issue. 

Government sources said she would be holding further talks with MPs, as well as business leaders and trade unionists, throughout the week.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has refused to hold discussions with the PM, and there has been little success for the government in trying to peel off Opposition MPs. 

There have also been fears that forcing through a package with Labour support will split the Tories and cause an election.

Mrs May is now expected to press for changes to the Northern Ireland backstop in the hope she can win round Tory Brexiteers and her allies in the DUP.

The Daily Telegraph reported she was even considering trying to amend the Good Friday Agreement - although No10 sources dismissed the idea as 'mad' and a 'non-starter'.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney was adamant over the weekend the backstop - intended to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic - was an essential part of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels this morning, German foreign minister Heiko Maas insisted the 'ball is in London'.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured speaking in Hastings last week) has refused to hold discussions with the PM, and there has been little success for the government in trying to peel off Opposition MPs.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured speaking in Hastings last week) has refused to hold discussions with the PM, and there has been little success for the government in trying to peel off Opposition MPs.

'So far, unfortunately, the British Parliament has only said what it does not want. What we need now are concrete proposals from the British,' he said.

'The ball is (in London's court), there is not a lot of time left.'

In evidence of deepening Tory splits, business minister Richard Harrington today publicly urged the PM to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

'It's an absolute disaster for the country and it's supported by a minority of a minority of people,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Mr Harrington urged MRs May to take a fresh approach: 'She should in my view say 'we are responsible people, we're going to do our duty to business, and we're going to rule out a no deal because we want a great deal'.'

He also said he was 'afraid' of Jaguar and Mini closing if there was a no-deal Brexit.

However, in a glimmer of hope for Mrs May there are signs some Brexiteers could reluctantly back her deal amid concerns a cross-party grouping of MPs are plotting to impose a 'softer' Brexit - or stop it altogether.

Writing in The Mail on Sunday, leading Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'Even Mrs May's deal would be better than not leaving at all.'  

What Brexit options could MPs vote on now May's deal has failed?

More than half a dozen Cabinet ministers are pushing for Parliament to vote on 'options' for how to proceed if Theresa May's deal fails.

Here are some of the possibilities that could be considered:

NORWAY PLUS

MPs from across parties have been mooting the idea of a Norway model.

It would effectively keep the UK in the single market, with a customs bolt-on to avoid a hard Irish border, and backers say it would keep Britain close to the EU while cutting contributions to Brussels.

However, critics say it has the drawbacks of keeping free movement, - and tightly limiting the possibilities for doing trade deals elsewhere.

The EU is also thought to have concerns about a country the UK's size joining the EEA, while other states in the group might be resistant.

SECOND REFERENDUM 

The so-called 'People's Vote' campaign has been pushing hard for another national vote, with cross-party backing.

MPs would almost certainly want to be asked to back the idea in principle. 

The Article 50 process would probably need to be extended to facilitate a referendum, but the EU seems open to that possibility.

However, the biggest problem is likely to be that even if the Commons can agree on holding a vote, they will be be completely split over the question.

Some want it to be a rerun of 2016 with Remain v Leave. Others say it should be May's deal against no deal.

There are also those who support two rounds of voting, or multiple choice. 

CANADA PLUS

Brexiteers have been demanding the UK takes a different approach this time, seeking a looser Canada-style arrangement with the EU. 

The arrangement they want would be a relatively clean break from the EU, with the ability to strike trade agreements elsewhere.

But it would fall far short of the low-friction access urged by Labour and large numbers of Tories. 

MANAGED NO DEAL

Brexiteers have been floating a 'managed' no deal which could feature in the votes.

It would involve the UK offering the EU billions of pounds to secure a transition period, even if there is no wider deal.

However, there is little sign that the EU is ready to agree. 

 

European UnionBrexitTheresa May

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