Theresa May wrestles with EU and Tory rebels as she scrambles to save Brexit deal

The prime minister had rebel MPs to a Downing Street drinks party on Monday in a bid to persuade them to back her

Theresa May faces battles on two fronts as she scrambles to secure support for her Brexit plans ahead of a critical vote next week.

It emerged on Monday that despite Ms May’s push for more substantial concessions to win over Eurosceptic Tory backbenchers, Brussels will offer little more than a letter with additional non-binding assurances over British concerns.

In London she also needs to head off a cross-party attempt on Tuesday to bind the government’s hands over tax policy in the event that her government heads for a no-deal Brexit.

On the first day back in the commons after Christmas, Brexit speculation over Ms May’s next steps intensified, with aides continuing a push to garner support for her proposals from Conservative rebels, some of who were invited to another meeting at No 10.

Part of her strategy will likely be a pledge that the UK will sign a new trade deal by 2021 at least, in a bid to persuade MPs that the UK would not be stuck in an indefinite customs union with the EU after Brexit.

To bolster this, the EU would also publish a letter containing a non-binding pledge to secure the trade deal by that time, the end of the transition period.

Downing Street confirmed they were seeking written reassurances in the coming days but said that what form they might take was subject to discussion.

But in a sign of the EU’s resistance to providing anything more substantial, an official said in Brussels on Monday that there would be no meeting between British and EU Brexit officials, because “negotiations have been completed”.

The Independent reported at the weekend that concessions likely to be offered by Brussels would not be substantial enough to require the sign off of a full European Council summit.

Minister Margot James warned Tory Eurosceptics that if they opposed Ms May’s deal, the prime minister may have to delay Brexit.

Boris Johnson arrives to a reception at No 10 (EPA)

But one Conservative MP, speaking to The Independent, said of the 2021 pledge: “Clearly this won’t be enough to avoid defeat next week.

“She or the EU will have to come up with more or it’s difficult to see where, if anywhere at all, her plans go after that.”

Asked if people were likely to change their minds about Ms May’s deal, another MP heading to Ms May’s drinks party at No 10 joked: “I’m pretty sure the prime minister is wavering.”

Brexiteers Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa Villiers were even heading to Downing Street as the event kicked off on Monday.

On Tuesday MPs will move two amendments to the Budget-enacting Finance Bill in a bid to restrict the government’s ability to pursue a no-deal Brexit.

One tabled by Labour former cabinet minister Yvette Cooper and Conservative ex-education secretary Nicky Morgan, would restrict Ms May’s freedom to make Brexit-related tax changes without parliamentary safeguards.

The measure is likely to be backed by the Labour party and also has the support of Tories Sir Oliver Letwin, Nick Boles and Sarah Wollaston as well as Labour chairman of the Brexit Select Committee Hilary Benn.

Treasury select committee chairwoman Ms Morgan said: “Many of us have been clear that parliament will not allow a no-deal situation to unfold, and with less than 12 weeks to go until March 29 it is time for parliament to show our opposition to a no-deal exit.”

There were indications on Monday night that the government may simply accept the amendment – with some experts arguing it would not be as restrictive as some of the MPs pushing it claim.

Either way, the government’s acceptance of yet another motion put forward in parliament served to highlight the growing confidence of MPs in steering the Brexit debate and the weakness of Ms May’s administration in the commons.

A separate measure backed by the Liberal Democrats and other opposition parties would prevent the government collecting key taxes unless parliament has approved its approach to Brexit.

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said his amendment, which has support from the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Green MP Caroline Lucas, allow “MPs to assert their authority by making it impossible for the government to collect crucial taxes if they do pursue a damaging no-deal”.

Responding, Theresa May’s official spokesperson said: “In terms of the amendments that are selected, that’s obviously a matter for the speaker.

“As I would say in relation to any amendment, we will look at it.

“But it’s important that we are able to take any steps necessary to prepare the UK for leaving the EU, and that includes in a no-deal scenario.”