Reports: Theresa May could try to get the Withdrawal Bill through for a fourth time next week

Theresa May could be leading the Conservatives to heavy losses in the local elections. Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire - Credit: PA

After new attempts to topple Theresa May fizzled out, the prime minister is reported to be planning to try to get her Brexit Withdrawal Bill through for the fourth time.

chasing unicorns, and eating up time' said a minister
— Robert Peston (@Peston) April 25, 2019

The 1922 committee met yesterday to consider changing Tory party rules to allow them to oust May earlier than they are currently able.

That was narrowly avoided, but there is continuing dissatisfaction with her leadership both from MPs and within the party membership.

She could give MPs the chance to vote on the bill as early as next week, reported Sky News’ Beth Rigby.

Seriously!
She's just returned from the funeral of a young journalist in NI and she's still tinkering with the backstop

Lord help us all!
— Eurobuilder#FBPE #NHSlove (@thebuilddoctor) April 25, 2019

ITV political editor Robert Peston elaborated on this in a tweet saying she would do this by stripping the Northern Ireland backstop out of the bill ‘in the hope it shows, like the Brady amendment, that her Brexit would be approved without it’, he said.

The Brady amendment, passed on January 29, asked the government to seek ‘alternative arrangements’ to the Northern Ireland backstop.

Alternative arrangements have not yet been agreed with the EU.

Quizzed in parliament, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom was tight-lipped over the question.

So she wants MPs to approve a deal that hasn't been agreed with the EU? A #FakeDeal vote.  What idiocy this is! Even if MPs were so stupid as to vote it through you would always need another meaningful vote to agree a new deal the EU has completely ruled out. @IainDale
— Martin in Yorkshire (@martinradio) April 25, 2019

She said an announcement on when the deal will return will be made ‘when appropriate’, but that a debate will be held in due course.

The EU gifted us an extra 6 months to sort out our mess. What should we do in this important period of time for our country? I know let's go back over the same rainbow chasing, unicorn dreaming, fanciful nonsense that we have been wasting our time with for the last two years.
— Ian Akehurst (@inan101011) April 25, 2019