Brexiteers warn Theresa May she has ‘trouble ahead’ if she tries to pass her deal without reopening the divorce treaty as PM vows to ‘battle for Britain’ in Brussels
Brexiteers warned Theresa May she has ‘trouble ahead’ today as they accused of her falling short of the promises she made to win a crucial vote in Parliament.
Leading members of the European Research Group criticised an article written by the Prime Minister today in which she promises to ‘battle for Britain’ in Brussels.
Mrs May is expected to return to Brussels this week to reopen talks on the Irish border backstop component of the divorce deal. Her renegotiation comes after she won a Commons vote on Tuesday backing changes to the backstop.
But rumours re-appeared today she would get no more than a legal ‘codicil’ – an extra document attached to the deal explaining why the backstop would be temporary – and not a full re-write of the protocol.
Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the Brexiteer ERG, warned Mrs May this would not be enough and suggested she was ‘co-opting’ his members without permission.
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Signally the renewed revolt today, Mr Baker said: ‘Trouble ahead. Leave-backing MPs voted to support alternative arrangements in NI but with grave misgivings about the whole agreement.
‘Now the PM co-opts us into accepting everything but the backstop and, on the backstop, accepting a codicil.’
Brexiteer MP Andrea Jenkyns added: ‘No Prime Minister, we said we would support the amendment to send a message to EU re the Backstop.
‘We all said there are other issues with Withdrawal Agreement. Britain deserves a better deal.’
Tory Simon Clarke added: ‘I have huge admiration for Nicky Morgan for her key role in delivering the Malthouse Compromise – a challenge for both Remainers and Leavers but a way forward for us all.
‘If the Withdrawal Agreement is to pass, this is how – not talk of codicils etc.’