Up to 40 Labour MPs could back May's Brexit deal - reports
Between 30 and 40 Labour MP’s are considering backing Theresa May in an expected vote in parliament if she secures a Brexit deal with the European Union.
The rebel cabal are thought to fear the economic consequences the country could suffer in a no-deal divorce. The Labour MPs, reported by The Times at close to 40 and the Financial Times as closer to 30, could decide to defy leader Jeremy Corbyn and help the government secure the 320 of 650 votes needed to get her Brexit deal approved by Parliament.
Earlier in the week, Tory MP Steve Baker, leader of a pro-Brexit backbench group, said there were 40 Conservative MPs that would rebel on the government side, having not long ago calculated this figure was nearer 80.
While it is the Labour party’s intention to vote down any deal secured by the Conservatives, if the parliamentary deadlock remains the Labour rebels would likely back any deal that would avoid crashing out of the EU without a deal.
The report comes as Theresa May is preparing to secure more compromises to her Brexit deal before the EU summit next week.
The PM is set to hold talks regarding Brexit with her cabinet on Tuesday a day before she flies to a crunch summit in Brussels.
The discussion is expected to include a commitment to keep the whole of the UK in an effective customs union with the EU after Brexit to avoid a hard Irish border, but with a “clear process” of steps to exit.
POTENTIAL DISRUPTION
Although both the EU and the UK are hopeful that a deal is within reach and the exit will happen smoothly, the government continues to take precautions against the negative effects Brexit could have across the country and has already released contingency plans for a no-deal departure.
The government announced on Wednesday that it will hire emergency workers to help the country cope in case Brexit causes “disruption”. The workers will deal with “civil emergencies” whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal.
The emergency staff will work in 15 locations across the country, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.