Tory Brexiteers and Remainers unite to throw Theresa May a lifeline
The proposal is branded a "glimmer of hope" by one MP, as the prime minister braces for a series of crucial votes.
Tuesday 29 January 2019 13:09, UK
Tory Brexiteers and Remainers have united to help Theresa May ahead of crunch votes later today that could change the course of Brexit.
Ministers and backbenchers are backing a proposal aimed at stopping divisions within the Conservative party, with one MP calling the compromise a "glimmer of hope".
Mrs May addressed Tory backbenchers on Monday night. Later that evening, one of the supporters of the new proposal, Nicky Morgan, messaged colleagues to reveal its full extent, which she says still means the UK leaves the EU on 29 March with a backstop that would be "acceptable indefinitely".
That is the insurance policy to stop a hard border reforming on the island of Ireland by aligning some customs regulations in Northern Ireland with the EU.
The proposal is known as the "Malthouse compromise" after housing minister Kit Malthouse, who helped broker it, and has garnered support from ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson and backbench Brexiteer ringleader Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The first part - known as plan A - is to change the divorce deal by coming up with a new backstop and extending the proposed transition period by one year - until the end of 2021.
The UK would continue to follow EU rules and pay into its budget, which could allow enough time to reach a free trade deal.
If that fails, plan B would see the UK ask for a transition period also until 2021, but preparing to leave on WTO terms, with no tariffs.
Critics say it would be rejected because Brussels has ruled out offering a transition period that does not lead to a deal being implemented.
Green MP Caroline Lucas called it a "fast-track to a disastrous no-deal Brexit".
Politicians from all sides are jostling to take control of the Brexit process, with a series of votes planned for Tuesday night on what its course should be.
Mrs May has urged Tory MPs to support Sir Graham Brady's amendment, which calls for the backstop to be scrapped and replaced with "alternative arrangements".
The backstop has proved the most hated part of her withdrawal agreement with Brussels, which was rejected by 230 votes in parliament earlier this month.
But another bid by Yvette Cooper could derail Mrs May's plan to take the UK out of the EU without a deal if one is not ratified before 29 March 2019.
The Labour MP's amendment wants time for a vote on delaying Brexit until the end of the year, if a deal is not passed by the end of February.
Mrs May will face down rebels on her own side and critics in the opposition camp by making the closing speech in tonight's debate.