Senior Tory MPs threw Theresa May an 11th hour lifeline today by backing an amendment endorsing her Brexit plan – as long as she can overhaul the Irish border backstop.
Former ministers Grant Shapps and Nick Boles are among those who have signed up to the proposal, while Boris Johnson also hinted he might get on board.
Mrs May seems to be pinning her hopes on the amendment tabled by 1922 committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, which would demand a rewriting of the controversial backstop.
Sir Graham said his plan would give ‘enormous firepower’ to Mrs May in talks with the EU, but insisted any concessions must be ‘legally binding’.
‘I don’t think anybody is going to accept something which is just warm words,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
However, there are fears that Speaker John Bercow – who has so far shown little inclination to help the government – will kill off the plan by refusing to call it for a vote unless significant numbers of MPs signal support.
So far just eight politicians have formally added their names – and although more have indicated they will sign, other Brexiteers voiced suspicion that the amendment will just kick the can further down the road.
‘It is well intentioned, but some people are not thinking it through,’ one former minister told MailOnline. ‘Many Tory Eurosceptics are in the same place as me, and are convinced it is meaningless.
‘Others are wavering. They need to reflect on the stubbornness of the Irish.’
Three other amendments look highly likely to be selected by Mr Bercow after garnering scores of names – and all look on track to be approved by MPs.
No10 has been pleading with MPs not to back a proposal tabled by Labour’s Yvette Cooper that would pave the way for a law to extend the Article 50 process.
Another change put forward by ex-minister Caroline Spelman would try to rule out a no-deal Brexit – although the outcome would not be binding on the government.
A separate move from Tory MP Dominic Grieve would stage a series of ‘indicative’ votes to work out what approach would gain a majority in the Commons.
Theresa May (pictured returning to Downing Street today) is desperately struggling to hold her Cabinet together and fend off a Remainer bid to force a Brexit delay in crunch Commons votes
Labour’s Yvette Cooper (left) has tabled an amendment paving the way for Brexit to be delayed. Sir Graham Brady (right) has put forward a proposal to accept Theresa May’s deal if the Irish backstop is changed
Sir Graham said his amendment was drawn up after meetings with ministers including Mrs May, and he believed the DUP would support it.
Asked if it had Government backing he said: ‘I hope so… I don’t know so. The amendment was born out of a number of conversations I had with colleagues including members of the Government, including the Prime Minister.
‘I had also spoken to people in the DUP too and I’m hoping that the way in which the amendment is crafted can attract that very broad support and if we can win the vote on my amendment then I think it gives the Prime Minister enormous firepower.’
There are fears that Speaker John Bercow (pictured in Westminster station today) will kill off the plan by refusing to call it for a vote unless significant numbers of MPs signal support
Mr Johnson said a time limit or unilateral exit could ‘defuse the booby trap’. But he also warned that meant rewriting the text of the Withdrawal Agreement – something the EU has so far been adamant cannot happen.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson called on the PM publicly to confirm a ‘change of heart’ on the withdrawal deal.
He said: ‘That backstop is dead, rejected by the biggest ever parliamentary majority; and that is why I hope and pray that I am right about the intentions of Number 10.
The plan being pushed by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and former Tory minister Nick Boles is designed to stop a damaging no deal Brexit, as it would postpone the March 29 leaving date by nine months if a deal is not secured by February 26.
Labour has indicated it is ready to back the proposal – giving it a realistic chance of success – although Jeremy Corbyn has said no final decision will be taken until tomorrow when the amendment selection happens.
But appealing for MPs to shun the Cooper plan, a senior No10 source said: ‘Leaving aside the constitutional concerns around the Cooper Bill, it is clear from Yvette Cooper’s comments that backing her Bill means signing a blank cheque when it comes to delaying Brexit.
‘It could mean Brexit is delayed for nine months, a year, or more. It also opens the door to Brexit not happening at all.’ The warning came amid signs that Tory ministers who threatened to quit over a No Deal were stepping back from the brink.
Tory former minister Nick Boles, a leading supporter of Ms Cooper’s plan, told Today there was a ‘great deal of support among ministers and, indeed, Cabinet ministers’ and they had been pressing for a free vote on the amendment.
‘This is the last chance for Parliament, this is probably the only opportunity that Parliament is going to have to intervene in this process, to take control,’ he said.
‘If we don’t seize the moment tomorrow afternoon then we are at grave risk of just driving off the edge on March 29 without really wanting to, and when there might be a compromise we could achieve if we just had a few more months.’
The PM is seeking to see off the threat of a Tory rebellion, and the possibility of ministerial resignations, by considering whether to hold a ‘meaningful vote’ on Brexit within the next fortnight.
A dozen pro-European ministers including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke reportedly held a conference call in which they agreed such a move would help defer a potential rebellion.
‘If we mean it, if we really try, I have no doubt that the EU will give us the Freedom Clause we need.
‘And if the PM secures that change – a proper UK-sized perforation in the fabric of the backstop itself – I have no doubt that she will have the whole country full-throatedly behind her.’
Chancellor Philip Hammond and Mrs May’s effective deputy David Lidington have urged Remainer ministers to keep their powder dry rather than joining the rebellion this week.
Yesterday Mr Lidington argued this week’s vote was not the ‘final decision point’ and insisted MPs will have another ‘meaningful vote’ on Mrs May’s deal next month once she has been back to Brussels.
He wrote in the Observer: ‘If Parliament wishes to avoid No Deal, I have no doubt it will find ways to express a view in the coming weeks.’
The source said: ‘We don’t think there will be fireworks this week. I don’t think there will be mass resignations.
‘People are working hard to make sure amendments go down that keep the party together.’
The Cooper amendment has won the backing of nearly ten Tory MPs – all voted Remain in 2016 and several back a second referendum.
Labour is also expected to whip its MPs to support it.
Yesterday Ms Cooper told the Andrew Marr show that her Bill ‘gives Parliament the option to decide how long [the delay] should be’ and that it was ‘not about blocking Brexit’.
Under her proposal, Mrs May would be forced to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50 if she fails to secure a deal.
The amendments and outcomes
Commons is expected to vote tomorrow on amendments including Yvette Cooper’s. The Labour MP is pictured on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday
YVETTE COOPER’S PLAN TO DELAY BREXIT IF THERE IS NOT A DEAL
WHAT IT DOES: Forces ministers to extend Article 50 beyond March 29 to stop No Deal.
WHOSE PLAN? Labour’s Yvette Cooper, former Tory ministers Nick Boles and Sir Oliver Letwin.
HOW IT WORKS: Ministers lose the power to decide what is debated on February 5, which passes to backbench MPs. Miss Cooper proposes a law forcing Mrs May to ask for a delay on Brexit if No Deal is agreed by February 26.
COULD IT SUCCEED? With enough votes from Tory rebels, yes.
DOMINIC GRIEVE’S PLAN TO HAND POWER TO MPS
WHAT IT DOES: Give control over Parliamentary business to MPs.
WHOSE PLAN? Dominic Grieve QC, former attorney general and ardent Remainer, and MPs who want a second referendum.
HOW IT WORKS: Government loses power over the Commons every Tuesday from February 12 to March 26 so backbench MPs could vote on Brexit. Could delay Article 50 or change the deal to include a customs union or second referendum.
COULD IT SUCCEED? Could pass with the support of pro-Remain Tories, Labour backing.
SIR GRAHAM BRADY’S PLAN TO FIX THE BACKSTOP BY DEMANDING CHANGES FROM BRUSSELS
WHAT IT DOES: Proposes replacing the Northern Ireland backstop with ‘alternative arrangements’ to avoid a hard border. Also supports leaving with a deal.
WHOSE PLAN? Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee.
HOW IT WORKS: Allows Mrs May to go to Brussels and say the EU must make concessions on the backstop or get rid of it.
COULD IT SUCCEED? Only if selected by Speaker Bercow – who could ignore it.
DAME CAROLINE SPELMAN’S PLAN TO RULE OUT NO DEAL
WHAT IT DOES: Stops the UK leaving without a deal.
WHOSE PLAN: Former Tory Cabinet minister Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey.
HOW IT WORKS?
Rejects No Deal.
COULD IT SUCCEED? Yes, if enough Tory rebels vote in favour.
JEREMY CORBYN’S PLAN TO FUDGE THE VOTE BY DEMANDING CHANGE BUT HINTING AT A REFERENDUM
WHAT IT DOES: Demands changes to the deal and hints at a second referendum.
WHOSE PLAN? Corbyn, Labour frontbench.
HOW IT WORKS: Ministers must let Parliament discuss No Deal, and proposes staying in a permanent customs union. If that fails, it suggests a second referendum.
COULD IT SUCCEED? Highly unlikely, because it won’t win support from Tory rebels.