«Breaking News» Brexit: May's allies say she WON'T quit as she faces rebellious Cabinet

Theresa May is today facing her fractured Cabinet days after they tried to oust her in a failed coup - and is set to unveil a plan to hold so-called 'indicative votes' on Brexit to let MPs choose their favoured alternative to her own EU divorce plan.

The PM is expected to announce she will hold the votes in an attempt to quash rebel MPs' plan to seize control of the Brexit process and force a softer Brexit upon her.

But she could also use the prospect of a softer Brexit to compel Brexiteer MPs to back her deal before Friday and secure Britain's exit from the EU on May 22.

Under the terms of the Brexit delay offered by Brussels on Thursday, Britain will leave the EU on May 22 if the PM wins a vote on her deal and April 12 if she does not.

The April 12 deadline raises the prospect of a no deal Brexit or another lengthy delay to Brexit that would see the UK participate in EU elections.

At the weekend Brexiteers confronted the PM in an attempt to get her to agree a departure date in return for their backing of her deal, and Boris Johnson wrote today that PM had 'bottled' Brexit by not leaving without a deal on Friday.

Cabinet ministers also tried to oust her and replace her with a 'caretaker PM' – but the plot fell apart when their apparent candidates David Liddington and Michael Gove both said they did not want the job.  

Mrs May is expected to offer them a series of votes on the seven Brexit options MPs have to choose from: The PM's deal, No Deal, a second referendum, Labour's preferred customs union deal, a Norway-plus EEA deal, a Canada-plus free trade deal or revoking Article 50 and staying in the EU.  

Michael Gove leaves home this morning as he denied he would want to take over from Mrs May - but Boris Johnson appears to be shaping up to launch a leadership bid after he said that the government has 'bottled it completely' over Brexit

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox arriving for a crunch cabinet meeting today after saying that getting rid of the PM would not guarantee that her deal would go through 

These are the seven options for Brexit MPs could vote on this week if Mrs May is forced towards a softer Brexit

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BREXIT THIS WEEK?  

LIKELY TO HAPPEN WEDNESDAY: MPs HOLD INDICATIVE VOTES  

The Commons is set to hold a series of indicative votes on Brexit alternatives this week, most likely on Wednesday. The alternatives include a softer Brexit, a second referendum or leaving with No Deal. If one commands a majority, MPs will try to pressure Theresa May into adopting that option. But there is no binding way of making her do so.

LIKELY TO HAPPEN THURSDAY: MAY HOLDS A THIRD MEANINGFUL VOTE ON HER BREXIT DEAL

May is likely to try and pass her Brexit deal a third time, after the EU offered a Brexit date of 22 May if she does so this week. The Prime Minister will use threats that MPs will take control and force a softer Brexit in an attempt to force Brexiteer rebels to finally back her. She may also offer them a date when she will quit in return for their support. Thursday is the most likely day for her vote, but there is a chance she won't hold it if she does not believe she'll win.

FRIDAY: MPs TAKE CONTROL?

If the PM loses a third vote on her deal, MPs and Remainer Cabinet ministers will try and force her towards a softer Brexit. Brexiteer MPs and Cabinet minister will conversely try and push her towards a No Deal exit from the EU. The most likely outcomes are:  

NO DEAL

Theresa May is under no obligation to accept MPs favoured option for Brexit, and could take Britain out the EU without a deal on 12 April. She could remain as Prime Minister under this option.  

SOFTER BREXIT

MPs could try and force May to negotiate a softer Brexit, but this will provoke outrage from Brexiteers. It does not necessarily mean a delay beyond a few months because Britain could still leave the EU under the withdrawal arrangement.   

 SECOND REFERENDUM

IF MPs vote for a second referendum either on May's deal or a range of options, it is likely to mean a lengthy delay to Brexit. May has indicated she will step down if Brexit is delayed beyond June 30.

 Brexiteers accused her of 'declaring war' because the series of votes would give control to Parliament, where the majority of MPs are remainers who want the softest possible Brexit or no Brexit at all. 

The seven options for Brexit Theresa May will present to MPs 

The seven Brexit options MPs may get to choose from:

:: Theresa May's Brexit deal - The Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with Brussels that has already been rejected by MPs twice.

:: Revoke Article 50 - The cancellation of the UK's notice to Brussels that it would leave the EU, which was given almost two years ago.

:: Second referendum - Another national poll of voters to check whether they still want to leave the EU.

:: The PM's deal plus customs union - Labour's Brexit plan, which would prevent Britain being able to strike its own trade deals.

:: The PM's deal plus customs union plus single market - An even 'softer' Brexit plan, also known as 'Common Market 2.0' or 'Norway Plus', that would include keeping freedom of movement of people.

:: Free Trade Agreement - A trade deal between Great Britain and the EU, but excluding Northern Ireland, which would create a customs border in the Irish Sea.

:: No Deal - The country would leave the EU without striking an agreement with Brussels. 

Today International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said claims that the Brexit deal would be agreed by MPs if Theresa May pledged to quit is a 'supposition'.

He said: 'It's simply not enough to say that if we throw the Prime Minister overboard things will be alright because it really won't change anything'.  

Dr Fox said the threat of fighting European elections after failing to deliver Brexit could convince them to back Mrs May's deal, because MPs act out of 'self-interest'.

He said: 'There is a hard deadline coming up, which is the 11th of April. If we have not decided by then to leave with a deal then we will have to pass the legislation for Britain to fight in the European elections in May. I'm not sure there are many people in the House of Commons who fancy that particular meeting with voters. I think it would unleash a torrent of pent up frustration from voters and the major parties will do what they can to avoid fighting those elections. There's nothing in politics like a bit of self-interest to concentrate the minds'.    

As Theresa May fights for her political life, it emerged today:

• The PM's faces increasing pressure to reveal she will quit in return for support for her deal in third Commons vote;


• Theresa May briefs her cabinet ministers on possible 'indicative votes' on future direction of Brexit including second referendum and No Deal if her deal is killed off;


• EU says it's now ready for No Deal and says this is looking 'increasingly likely' on April 12;

Liam Fox today insisted that Mrs May was respected by the public, despite calls for her to go from her own party.

'What I was finding from real voters was people spontaneously saying 'I don't understand how Theresa May puts up with the pressure, she is a great public servant, her resilience is amazing',' Dr Fox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'There seems to me to be a bigger disconnect now between Westminster and what is happening out in the country than ever before.'

He said Tory Eurosceptics had to accept that MPs would block a no-deal Brexit.

'For a lot of my colleagues, I think they still believe there is a route to no deal. I have come to the conclusion some time ago that was unlikely given the House of Commons that we have.

Theresa May is refusing to quit and told Brexiteers at Chequers that if they don't get behind her plan, MPs would force through a 'soft' Brexit 

Mrs May's cabinet is split because of a rift between Brexiteers including Andrea Leadsom and Remainers such as Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, pictured arriving for today's cabinet meeting

Brexiteeer Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt arrives at Downing Street

'I think we will see today that there is a mood in the House of Commons to stop us leaving without a deal, even if that means no Brexit. I think that is a constitutionally disastrous position.' 

What happens next in the battle for control of Brexit? How MPs will try to seize control of Britain's departure from the EU this week 

This is your guide to what happens next:  

What is happening today? 

The Cabinet is currently holding an emergency meeting. Ministers are thought to be discussing the hopes of the deal passing at the third attempt this week and, if not, whether to hold indicative votes on alternatives.

Will May be forced out by her Cabinet? 

The immediate risk appears to have receded since rumours of a Cabinet coup spread like wildfire over the weekend. There is no procedural way to remove her - but a public withdrawal of political support would finish the PM.

What was agreed at the EU summit last week?  

 EU leaders have approved a two-part delay to Brexit following late night talks.

Brexit is set to be delayed until April 12 whatever happens next week, giving the UK an extra two weeks.

If MPs pass the Brexit deal before then, the extension will run until May 22.

 What does it mean? 

The immediate risk of the UK leaving without a deal on Friday, March 29, is effectively over - subject to a change in UK law but this should be a formality.

Brexiteers will still believe they can secure a No Deal exit on April 12 while Remainers will see it as an opportunity to lock in a much longer delay. 

When will MPs next have a say? 

Tonight. There is currently due to be another debate on Brexit 'next steps' that will mean a series of votes from 10pm. The debate has to be held by law because of the second defeat of the deal last week. 

This is not the third vote on the deal but a repeat of the debates held on January 29, February 14 and February 28 after the deal was crushed the first time.

There will likely be votes on several proposals including a second referendum, revoking Article 50 and a soft Brexit. There will be another attempt by some MPs to seize control of the Commons agenda to try and change the law to shape Brexit.

Will there be a third vote on the deal and when will it be? 

Mrs May says yes and says it will be this week. Most currently expect it to be held tomorrow night but this is not fixed. Thursday is also under consideration.

Can she win? 

It looks unlikely. The prospect of No Deal on April 12 will encourage Brexiteers they should vote down the deal a third time. 

There is currently little sign the DUP are being won over by a political offensive behind the scenes. 

Mrs May also alienated Labour MPs with her angry speech on Wednesday night.  

It seems possible she could end up losing the third vote by a bigger margin than the 149 votes she lost the second one.

What if she does win? 

If the PM manages a great escape, then Britain will be on track to leave on May 22. The Government will move quickly to get the necessary laws in place.

What if she loses?  

The EU has made clear that if the deal goes down a third time, Britain must come back with a plan in time for the new deadline of April 12.

Most urgently, a decision will have to be made on whether the UK takes part in European Parliament elections on May 23. If it does not, there will be No Deal - and Mrs May says electing MEPs would be the wrong thing to do.

However, there is still a majority of MPs in Parliament against No Deal so the choice could be taken away from the PM. 

If elections are agreed in the UK there will probably be a new EU summit around April 10 to approve a much longer extension - perhaps to the end of 2019 or even longer.

The UK will have to have a new plan for what to do with the time as Brussels has made clear it cannot keep going over the same deal.

Will MPs vote on other options? 

Probably. Tonight's vote could setup a full-blown 'indicative vote' that would set all the options against each other. A defeated Government could stage the same procedure.

There are claims the Government would put up seven options: Mrs May's Deal, No Deal, Revoking Article 50, a Second Referendum, a Customs Union soft Brexit deal, an even softer Customs Union and Single Market deal, and a Canada-style Free Trade Agreement deal. 

The idea would be to find what kind of Brexit might be supported by Parliament or if there is none, see if there is support for a new public vote. 

Will May resign? 

Nobody knows. No Prime Minister has ever soaked up so much humiliation and carried on and yet Mrs May is still in Downing Street.

She suggested last week she would not accept a long delay beyond June 30, seen by many as a hint she would resign if it had to happen.

A third defeat for the deal this week would also provoke huge calls for her to resign.

A move to No Deal could also see some Tory MPs join with Labour to force the Government out with a vote of no confidence.  

What happens to Brexit if May goes or the Government collapses? 

It is hard to know. Even with a tweak to the law to change the date, Brexit will still happen with No Deal on April 12 if other choices keep being rejected. 

But we also know there is a majority of MPs against a No Deal Brexit. It is possible there are enough Tory MPs prepared to remove the Government to stop No Deal by installing a Corbyn government ahead of a snap election. 

Only the Government can bring forward the necessary change in the law to change the Brexit date. 

What is Labour's position? 

Labour says no deal must be stopped - but also says it will not vote for Mrs May's deal.

It wanted a three month delay to renegotiate the political declaration on the final UK-EU relationship but this would require it form a Government more or less immediately. 

Were it to do so, it would try pass the divorce deal attached to a new political declaration that said the final relationship would be based on a permanent customs union. 

It has passed no comment on the actual proposed delay. 

Will there have to be a new election or a referendum? 

This falls into the anything is possible category. Parliament is deadlocked and has been for months - which suggests an election is necessary. 

And yet the governing Tory party clearly has little idea what it would put to the country or who would lead it into an election. An election can be forced without the consent of the Tories but it is very difficult. 

Similarly, it is far from clear there are the votes for a referendum in the Commons. The idea was crushed last week because Labour did not vote for it.

Will Brexit ever happen? 

Almost three years after the referendum, this depends entirely on your view of events. The law says it will but there are enough MPs to at least change the date if given the chance to do so. It could now happen on April 12 or May 22. Or it could be delayed much further. 

 

Tory backbencher Nigel Evans, a joint executive secretary of the influential Conservative 1922 Committee, said Theresa May should set out her plans to quit in order to get her Brexit deal through.

'Clearly a number of people do not want the Prime Minister anywhere near the next phase of negotiations, which is the future trading relationship between ourselves and the EU,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today.

He said there should be an 'orderly' process to replace the Prime Minister, with a full leadership contest rather than an interim successor.

Theresa May's former Downing Street director of communications, Katie Perrior, said it was time for the Prime Minister to announce her departure date to get her Brexit deal through.

Writing in The Times Red Box, Ms Perrior said: 'Maybe it's time to stop finding scapegoats and admit that Theresa May and her lack of leadership has made a bad situation worse.

'With great sadness, it's time for her to swap her departure date in return for the deal. It's the least she can do.'

Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen told Sky News that Theresa May 'certainly doesn't have the confidence of the Cabinet, and of Conservative members across the country'.

He added: 'We are not going to get Brexit through this Parliament. This Parliament is packed out with MPs who really back Remain.

'The only way we are going to get Brexit is a change of leader to someone who actually believes in Brexit and can express that to the country'.

At the start of another crunch week in Westminster, the Commons is due to vote on an amendment which would force a series of indicative votes on alternatives to the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement.

The European Commission has released a warning that 'it is increasingly likely that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union without a deal on April 12'.

In a statement, the Commission said it had completed its preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit, which it said would cause 'significant disruption for citizens and businesses' and 'significant delays' at borders.

'In such a scenario, the UK's relations with the EU would be governed by general international public law, including rules of the World Trade Organisation,' said the statement released in Brussels.

'The EU will be required to immediately apply its rules and tariffs at its borders with the UK. This includes checks and controls for customs, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and verification of compliance with EU norms.

'Despite the considerable preparations of the member states' customs authorities, these controls could cause significant delays at the border. UK entities would also cease to be eligible to receive EU grants and to participate in EU procurement procedures under current terms.

'Similarly, UK citizens will no longer be citizens of the European Union. They will be subject to additional checks when crossing borders into the European Union.

'Again, member states have made considerable preparations at ports and airports to ensure that these checks are done as efficiently as possible, but they may nevertheless cause delays.'

Defeat for the Government on Monday night on the plan - tabled by former ministers Sir Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve and Labour MP Hilary Benn - would be a further humiliation for Mrs May.

The proposal seeks to pave the way for a series of indicative votes in the Commons on Wednesday, effectively taking control of the Brexit process out of the hands of the Government.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned the risk of a general election would increase if MPs took control of parliamentary proceedings and brought about a 'constitutional collision'.

But Chancellor Philip Hammond said 'one way or another' MPs would be given the opportunity this week to decide what it is in favour of, though could not confirm whether Tories would be given a free vote on the options. 

Mrs May's government has 'bottled it completely' over Brexit according to Boris Johnson as she clings to power after holding crisis talks with her Brexit critics at Chequers yesterday.

During a three-hour meeting, Brexiteers Iain Duncan Smith and Jacob Rees-Mogg warned the Prime Minister she must set out a timetable for her departure to get her deal through the Commons.

Mrs May dug in, warning Eurosceptics including Mr Johnson and David Davis that if they refused to get behind her plan, MPs would force through a 'soft' Brexit.

But Mr Johnson, writing in The Telegraph, said the government had a 'chickened out' and 'bottled it completely' over Brexit.

He said: 'We are not leaving this Friday because the government has chickened out. For almost three years every Tory MP has chirruped the mantra that no deal would be better than a bad deal.

'I believed that the government was sincere in making that claim, and I believed that the PM genuinely had the 29th of March inscribed in her heart.

'I am afraid I misread the government. We have blinked. We have baulked. We have bottled it completely.'

He urges Mrs May to 'channel the spirit of Moses' and 'tell Brussels' to 'let my people go.' 

The Prime Minister is understood to have raised concerns privately that she does not want to set out a departure date unless it becomes clear that doing so will be enough to get her deal passed.

A source said: 'It's a bit of chicken and egg. She does not want to come out and say 'OK I will do it' and then it not go through. She needs to know the numbers are there.'

But Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson, writing on Twitter last night, has claimed there are rumours abound that Brexiteers at Chequers have got the PM's agreement to resign in return for their support for her deal. 

The meeting came hours after her de facto deputy David Lidington and Environment Secretary Michael Gove were forced to deny claims that ministers planned to install one of them as a caretaker prime minister in a Cabinet coup. 

Yesterday afternoon Mrs May invited the pair to her country residence along with a group including former ministers and some of her staunchest Brexit critics.

She convened the meeting to discuss whether there was enough support from MPs to put her Withdrawal Agreement before the Commons for a third time this week.

Those present included former Brexit ministers Steve Baker and Dominic Raab, who both quit over her deal. Chief Whip Julian Smith, Tory chairman Brandon Lewis, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt and Mrs May's former deputy Damian Green also attended, along with Jacob Rees-Mogg, who brought his son, Peter, 12.

The Brexiteers present said there was no breakthrough at the meeting. A source added: 'It was the usual stuff, she gave the same old pitch as she has been giving about back me or it is going to be a softer Brexit. 

'IDS and Jacob both said she should set out a timeline to go, but she gave no indication that she would. It was the same old lines. Sadly nothing has changed.'

The seven amendments that MPs will vote on tonight

Parliament debates an amendable 'next steps' Government motion on the Brexit deal, which gives MPs a chance to put their favoured Brexit outcomes to a vote.  

Mrs May's effective deputy David Lidington promised to introduce this for MPs if Mrs May failed to get her deal through by last week.

MPs have put forward seven amendments for tonight, with Speaker John Bercow expected to choose up to four of them for votes.

Letwin amendment

This cross-party plan, backed by Sir Oliver Letwin, Dominic Grieve and Hilary Benn, seeks to pave the way for a series of 'indicative votes' in the Commons on Wednesday, effectively taking control of the Brexit process out of the hands of the Government.

Cooper amendment

Labour MP Yvette Cooper's amendment rejects a no-deal Brexit and demands the Government sets out by the end of Thursday how it will ensure the UK does not crash out of the EU on April 12 without a Withdrawal Agreement, if the PM's plan is rejected again. Tory MPs Sir Oliver Letwin and Dame Caroline Spelman are among the signatories.

Labour amendment

Jeremy Corbyn's party has tabled an amendment instructing the Government to provide parliamentary time this week so MPs can find a majority for an alternative to the PM's Brexit plan. They say the other options could include Labour's plan, a customs union, second referendum or a Common Market 2.0.

TIGs amendment

The Independent Group are joined by Liberal Democrats and some Labour MPs in calling for the Prime Minister to immediately make the 'necessary preparations' for a second referendum.

Beckett amendment

Labour MP Dame Margaret Beckett's amendment seeks to make the Government move a motion on whether the Commons approves the UK leaving without a deal and on whether there should be an extension to Article 50 if Britain comes within seven days of crashing out.

Quince amendment

Backed by prominent Brexiteers from across the House, Tory Will Quince's amendment simply seeks to reaffirm Parliament's 'commitment to honour the result of the referendum that the UK should leave the European Union'.

Liberal Democrats amendment

With support from members of the Independent Group, the Lib Dem amendment calls for a two-year extension to Article 50 to hold a second referendum on whether to leave the EU under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement or to stay a member.

Sajid Javid arrives at No 10 Downing Street

Britain's Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss and Britain's Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling strolled into No 10 together

Education Secretary Damian Hinds and was followed into Downing Street by Business Secretary Greg Clark, one of the remainer ministers in the cabinet

Secretary of State for Housing James Brokenshire and Conservative Party Chairman Brandon Lewis were driven to today's cabinet meeting

Jacob Rees Mogg and his son arrive at Chequers for a meeting with the Prime Minister

Iain Duncan Smith arrived in a flashy soft-topped Morgan sports car at Chequers, while Dominic Raab opted for a more conventional vehicle

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, an ultra-Brexiteer, made the short drive from his High Wycombe constituency, with David Lidington driving over from Aylesbury, having earlier denied having any desire to replace Mrs May

Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis was driven into Chequers, as was Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who earlier said he was fully behind the Prime Minister

The Brexiteers are said to have 'left disheartened by the lack of any effort to change course or to reach out in any way to try and get this deal through'.

On his way to the meeting, Mr Johnson drove on a public road without his seatbelt on – an offence that can incur a £500 fine.

A witness said the former Foreign Secretary was not wearing it while on Missenden Road, which leads to Chequers in Buckinghamshire.

Backbenchers led by Tory Sir Oliver Letwin aim to take over the Parliamentary timetable today to stage votes on alternatives to Theresa May's deal.

He acknowledged that the Commons may not unite around any of the available options.

Sir Oliver acknowledged that any votes would be advisory rather than binding on the Government and it may take several rounds of voting before a majority is found for any of the options - if one can be found at all.

He said Mrs May 'hasn't been able to get a majority and we don't know what she could get a majority for, so once we find that out there is a way forward, in principle, and then the next thing would be for the Prime Minister to take that forward and for the Government to implement it'.

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'None of us know whether it will work.'

Asked if it was possible that all options were rejected, he said: 'Of course I have to accept that. I can't predict... what Parliament will do.'

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned that any move by MPs to force the country into keeping close ties with the EU could result in a general election.

But Mr Hammond, the Chancellor, said it was right that the Commons should have its say on options such as a second referendum or staying in the customs union. The Cabinet is deeply divided between ministers who want a No Deal Brexit if Mrs May's plan is rejected and those who believe it should be avoided by moving towards a 'soft' Brexit or a long delay.

MPs will vote on an amendment this evening that would allow so-called 'indicative votes' on Wednesday to test whether there is an alternative that could command majority support in the Commons.

Ministers are expected to hold the votes even if the amendment is not passed. MPs will consider remaining in the customs union, a new referendum, No Deal or the cancelling of Brexit, among other options.

Mr Hammond suggested yesterday that he would be open to a softer Brexit or even another referendum.

Speaking on the Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme on Sky News, he said: 'We've got to address the question of what type of Brexit is acceptable to Parliament, what type of way forward Parliament can agree on so we can avoid what would be an economic catastrophe of a No Deal exit and also what would be a very big challenge to confidence in our political system if we didn't exit at all. The Prime Minister's deal is my preferred way forward, but I'm realistic that we may not be able to get a majority for the Prime Minister's deal and if that is the case then Parliament will have to decide not just what it's against, but what it is for.'

Asked if he could back the country remaining in a customs union, Mr Hammond said he would not want No Deal or to revoke Article 50, the formal process for leaving the EU.

But he added: 'Beyond that, I want to see a compromise and the essence of compromise is that nobody gets everything they want.

'I'm not sure there's a majority in Parliament for a second referendum but it's a perfectly coherent proposition. It deserves to be considered.'

However, Mr Barclay said indicative votes were not legally binding and if MPs voted for something that went against Tory manifesto commitments, such as remaining in the customs union or the single market, the Government may be forced to call a general election.

He said if backbench MPs took control of the Commons timetable and voted for a different outcome, it would 'potentially collide with fundamental commitments the Government has given in their manifesto'.

Mr Barclay told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'What Parliament has done is vote for a number of contradictory things, so we would need to untangle that. Ultimately, the risk of a general election increases because you potentially have a situation where Parliament is instructing the executive to do something counter to what it was elected to do.'

Tory MP Nick Boles, who has led calls for a Norway-style Brexit with Britain in the common market with a customs arrangement to ensure frictionless trade, dismissed any early election. He tweeted: 'This is nonsense. The PM cannot call a general election whenever she feels. She would need the backing of two-thirds of MPs. No way most Tory MPs are voting for an early election.'

But some Eurosceptics supported holding a general election to prevent a softer Brexit. Tory MP Simon Clarke said: 'Better that, surely, than being reduced to the transmission mechanism for policies that are not our own and which fly in the face of promises on which we were elected.

'The Opposition is the least popular in living memory. I would far rather take my chances with the public having been thwarted by a Remain Parliament than having capitulated to it.' 

Yesterday, it was claimed that ministers planned to call on Mrs May to step aside in favour of a caretaker prime minister – either Mr Lidington or Mr Gove – at a Cabinet meeting this morning.

But the mooted coup appeared to have fizzled out last night after critics warned that both Tory MPs and the party's membership would not accept the Cabinet picking a leader without a contest.

One minister said: 'It couldn't work because it is insane. The voluntary party would not live with it. The idea that you could get Cabinet to unite around one candidate would be surprising and the idea that you could get the parliamentary party to rally behind one person is insane. It will not happen.'

Mr Gove and Mr Lidington appeared on television yesterday to restate their backing for the Prime Minister ahead of the Chequers meeting.

The Environment Secretary said it was 'not the time to change the captain of the ship', adding: 'We absolutely need to focus on making sure we get the maximum possible support for the Prime Minister and her deal.'

Mr Lidington said Mrs May was doing 'a fantastic job', adding: 'I don't think I've any wish to take over from the PM. One thing working closely with the Prime Minister does is cure you of any shred of ambition to want to do that task. I have absolute admiration for the way she is going about it.'

Yesterday, Chancellor Philip Hammond warned those urging Mrs May to go that it wouldn't 'solve the problem'. 'To be talking about changing the players on the board, frankly, is self-indulgent at this time,' he told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

It came after Tory MP George Freeman, who had called for Mrs May to be replaced by Mr Gove, said yesterday it was 'all over for the PM', tweeting: 'She's done her best. But across the country you can see the anger.'

He was rebuked by Tory minister Justin Tomlinson, who replied: 'You should get off Twitter and knock on doors. The public are frustrated at factions who refuse to compromise. They sympathise that the PM is stuck in the middle.'

Eurosceptics on the backbenches also warned they would resist any move to put someone in place without them having a say.

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke said: 'The idea of a Cabinet coup is appalling. If there is to be a leadership change it must be done by MPs and the membership in accordance with the rules – not by a Cabinet stitch-up.'

A second referendum has 'never been a preference' for Labour, insists Corbyn's allies as party splits on Brexit flare up AGAIN after 'one million-strong' People's Vote march

Labour's splits on Brexit were laid bare again today as Shami Chakrabarti (pictured today in Westminster) insisted a second referendum had 'never been our preference'

Labour's splits on Brexit were laid bare again today as Shami Chakrabarti insisted a second referendum had 'never been our preference'.

The shadow attorney general and ally of Jeremy Corbyn said the idea of a public vote was 'one of a menu of options' but not one she backed.

Mr Corbyn snubbed a central London protest march demanding a second referendum of up to one million people on Saturday. Lady Chakrabarti said he 'has other places to be' when asked why he did not appear. 

In stark contrast, his deputy Tom Watson turned up and addressed the crowd from the podium. 

Lady Chakrabarti's intervention irritated pro-referendum Labour MPs today, with Barry Sheerman insisting the party should be represented on the airwaves by an 'elected' politician instead of the appointed Baroness. 

Lady Chakrabarti told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'It has never been our preference but since last autumn it has been one of a menu of options for breaking the deadlock.

'And if that's what it takes to break a deadlock in Parliament then so be it.

'I have no doubt that it will be one of a menu of options that MPs ought to be able to discuss and vote on this week.'

She said Mr Watson was 'an elected Member of Parliament so he is allowed to be rather more enthusiastic than me'.

Asked about party leader Jeremy Corbyn's views, she said his job was to 'desperately try to bring people together' from both sides of the Brexit divide.

Asked if Labour MPs would be given a free vote on the Brexit options, she said 'we have to find a way to allow people to coalesce'.

The shadow attorney general and ally of Jeremy Corbyn (pictured  leaving home today) said the idea of a public vote was 'one of a menu of options' but not one she backed

In stark contrast, his deputy Tom Watson turned up and addressed the crowd from the podium (pictured) 

Lady Chakrabarti's intervention irritated pro-referendum Labour MPs today, with Barry Sheerman insisting the party should be represented on the airwaves by an 'elected' politician instead of the appointed Baroness.

But she added 'we also are a democratic party and there was a conference motion last autumn and before that there was a general election manifesto' setting out party policy.

Addressing the crowd on Saturday, Mr Watson urged the Prime Minister to 'let the people take control'.

'At every turn we have been ignored,' he said. 'At every stage Theresa May has doubled down rather than reaching out.

'She has made it impossible for anyone who cares about jobs, about solidarity at home and abroad, about friendship across borders and between communities to support this Brexit.'

Addressing Mrs May directly, he called on her to 'look out [of] your window' to see 'this magnificent crowd today'.

He added: 'Prime Minister, you've lost control of this process, you're plunging the country into chaos, let the people take control.'

Mr Corbyn spent Saturday in Morecambe, making a speech to Labour North West activists. 

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/25/brexit-mays-allies-say-she-wont-quit-as-she-faces-rebellious-cabinet/
Main photo article Theresa May is today facing her fractured Cabinet days after they tried to oust her in a failed coup – and is set to unveil a plan to hold so-called ‘indicative votes’ on Brexit to let MPs choose their favoured alternative to her own EU divorce plan.
The PM is expected to...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/25/10/11420686-0-image-a-59_1553508051911.jpg