Tory MPs reject May’s final bid to pass her deal

“Theresa May faced calls from her own party to resign “immediately”  on Tuesday night after putting a second referendum on the table in a “sellout” attempt to save her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister provoked fury after she caved in to Labour demands for a vote on holding a so-called “confirmatory” ballot, which she hopes will tempt opposition MPs to back the deal. She also announced that Parliament will be given a vote on keeping Britain in a customs union with the EU until the next general election. Tory Eurosceptics described the offer as “outrageous” and more than 50 Conservative MPs said they would vote against it.” – Daily Telegraph

• Prime Minister caves to Labour’s ‘Brexit wishlist’ – The Sun
• May has made things worse, BBC correspondent suggests – Daily Express
• Brussels’ ‘despair’ at emptiness of offer – The Guardian
• Sterling rallies on back of second vote option – FT
• Chancellor sparks fury with ‘rant’ about No Deal – The Sun

Analysis:

• MPs must choose: uncertainty, or chaos – Peter Foster, Daily Telegraph
• Will the ten-point plan get the deal through? – Henry Zeffman, The Times
• People’s Vote gamble could blow the Party apart – Rob Wilson, Daily Telegraph

>Yesterday:

• MPs Etc.: “One last chance” to deliver Brexit. The Prime Minister’s statement. Full text.
• Video: WATCH: May throws herself on Labour’s mercy by dangling the prospect of a second referendum

Ministers reject options at ‘mutinous’ Cabinet

“Theresa May was forced to abandon key parts of a Brexit compromise after a testy three-hour cabinet meeting. The prime minister wanted to use forthcoming Brexit legislation to facilitate votes on a range of options, including a full customs union and a second referendum. She was rebuffed, with some fearing a walkout during the meeting. Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, and Geoffrey Cox, the attorney-general, forced her to abandon some of the initial options presented to cabinet that might have won Labour support… The main Brexit discussion at the meeting concluded with Mrs May saying that the options were her deal, no-deal or revoke, and “whatever your preferred Brexit this is the vehicle”.” – The Times

• May’s offer, neither new nor bold, will be her final failure – Tom Kibasi, The Guardian
• I admire the Prime Minister, but how did it come to this? – Stephen Glover, Daily Mail

>Today: ToryDiary: If May isn’t on her way out by the end of today, don’t back her in tomorrow’s European elections

>Yesterday: Audio: LISTEN: The Moggcast. Rees-Mogg suggests that he may switch back – and oppose the Withdrawal Agreement Bill

Furious Conservatives call on May to resign immediately

“Theresa May faced calls from her own party to resign “immediately”  on Tuesday night after putting a second referendum on the table in a “sellout” attempt to save her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister provoked fury after she caved in to Labour demands for a vote on holding a so-called “confirmatory” ballot, which she hopes will tempt opposition MPs to back the deal. She also announced that Parliament will be given a vote on keeping Britain in a customs union with the EU until the next general election. Tory Eurosceptics described the offer as “outrageous” and more than 60 Conservative MPs said they would vote against it.” – Daily Telegraph

• Number of parliamentary rebels doubles – The Times
• Prime Minister faces coup ‘today’ – The Sun
• Johnson leads criticism – Daily Mail

Comment:

• Our remorseless Remainer Government has hijacked Brexit – Iain Duncan Smith MP, Daily Telegraph
• You could almost hear MPs headbutting the walls in anger – Henry Deedes, Daily Mail
• Talks with Labour were a waste of time – Theresa Villiers MP, Daily Telegraph

Editorial:

• Last Rites – The Times
• A gift to Farage – The Sun

>Yesterday:

• Stephen Holmes in Comment: I’m an Association Chairman – but see no other course than to vote for the Brexit Party
• Angela Richardson in Comment: Why Brexiteers should vote Conservative

Another Tory peer backs the Lib Dems

“David Cameron’s former director of strategy faces suspension from the Conservative Party whip for declaring today that he will vote for the Liberal Democrats in the European elections. With the last opinion poll before the vote putting the Tories on 7 per cent, Lord Cooper of Windrush said he would do “what is best for the country” and back the rival party tomorrow because of its support for a second EU referendum. The YouGov poll for The Times puts the Brexit Party in a clear lead with 37 per cent of the vote. The Lib Dems are second on 19 per cent, with Labour on 13 per cent and the Greens on 12 per cent. The Conservatives are fifth on 7 per cent.” – The Times

• Northern Irish sister party seeks Brexit breakthrough – FT

Labour:

• Adonis tries to win back Labour doubters… – The Guardian
• …as Lib Dems look set to top them in polls – The Sun

Comment:

• Why I’ll vote Liberal Democrat for the first time in my life – Matthew Parris, The Times
• Clean Brexit doesnt exist – Anand Menon and Catherine Barnard, The Guardian
• It’s my civil duty to lend them my support – Gus O’Donnell, Times Red Box

Leadership: Johnson woos One Nation group in bid to broaden appeal…

“Boris Johnson is launching a bid to court One Nation Conservative MPs in the group of centrist liberals run by Amber Rudd, as he tries to pitch himself as a candidate who can appeal beyond rightwing Brexit supporters. The former foreign secretary, who is favourite to be the next Conservative leader, is backed by Brexit hardliner Jacob Rees-Mogg but infuriated many Tory colleagues by backing Theresa May’s deal after months of campaigning against it. Some Conservative MPs have privately threatened to quit the party if Johnson becomes prime minister, with particular anger over his use of populist rhetoric suggesting that Muslim women wearing burqas resemble bank robbers and “choose to go around looking like letterboxes”.” – The Guardian

• He’s not fit to lead, says James – The Guardian

Comment:

• Hunt has what it takes to be great – Rob Wilson, Daily Telegraph
• Leadership race could lead to every Brit having a shot at the good life – Damian Green MP, The Sun

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Today’s One Nation Conservatives are as dreary as Baldwin, not as exciting as Disraeli

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