Theresa May to make ‘bold’ new Brexit offer

Prime Minister Theresa May. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. - Credit: PA

Theresa May has claimed she will offer MPs a new ‘bold offer’ to get her Brexit deal passed by parliament.

She will begin discussions with ministers before the weekly meeting of cabinet will sign off the measurements to attempt to win cross-party support for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

However there was widespread scepticism at Westminster that it will fare any better than her three previous failed attempts to get the Commons to pass the deal.

A government source denied that the bill was attempting to win over Labour support by including measures to protect workers’ rights, but to support from across the House of Commons.

The bill is expected to include provisions on future trade arrangements with the EU, on environmental protections, and on Northern Ireland, including the use of technology to avoid the need for border controls with the Republic.

Ministers will also consider whether to put any of the alternative approaches to indicative votes in the Commons to establish which, if any, can command a majority.

It will not, however, seek to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement – which included the controversial Northern Ireland “backstop” – after the EU repeatedly made clear it could not be re-negotiated.

It is expected the bill will be voted on in the first week of June – during the week of Donald Trump’s visit.

Regardless of whether it passes or fails Theresa May will be then be expected to discuss a timetable with the 1922 Committee on her departure.