May's latest Brexit offer struggles to gain support

Theresa May's fourth version of her Brexit deal looked sunk before it had even sailed on Wednesday as MPs appeared to be distinctly underwhelmed by the new plan.

There were even suggestions on Wednesday that the much-maligned document might not even be put to a vote.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove refused to say whether May would table the agreement next month and former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said there was "too much opposition" to it.

"I don't think there will be a vote. It won't pass," Crabb said.

May on Tuesday said MPs had "one last chance" to deliver Brexit as she called on them to support the latest Withdrawal Agreement.

"I have compromised, now I ask you to compromise too," she said.

"The majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum... and I believe there is now one last chance to do that," she said.

She plans to put it to a vote in the first week of June, coinciding with a State visit by US President Donald Trump. Whatever the result it will probably signal the end of May's turbulent premiership.

MPs would get a vote on whether to hold another referendum if they backed her plan, May said. The prime minister pledged to resign if the agreement passed through parliament.

They would also be given the chance to vote on alternative customs proposals, including a temporary customs union on goods.

This was a compromise made during the failed talks with the opposition Labour Party, with a proviso that it it won the next general election, it could make it a permanent arrangement.

There were also promises on a separate bill to ensure workers’ rights do not fall behind those in the EU, a guarantee on environmental protections and that parliament would be consulted on the next stage of Brexit negotiations.

However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he wouldn't back a “repackaged version of the same old deal – and it’s clear that this weak and disintegrating government is unable deliver on its own commitments”.