Is Theresa May running down the clock until Brexit day?

Analysis: Continual delays and a refusal to extend Article 50 have fuelled suggestions that the prime minister is playing for time – Benjamin Kentish assesses whether there is any truth to the claims

The prime minister still hasn’t got a plan that MPs will agree to (EPA)

With fewer than 50 days until Brexit and no prospect of an agreement on an exit deal in sight, Theresa May is rapidly running out of time to convince the EU to give her the concessions she needs to win MPs’ backing for her plan.

She has not had much success so far. Brussels has insisted that it will not reopen negotiations on the withdrawal agreement – meaning no changes to the controversial Irish backstop.

On Tuesday, Ms May will have to ask MPs for more time to secure the changes she is seeking.