Brexit history made today: 1,212 days since referendum MPs to pass deal by just TWO votes
BORIS JOHNSON yesterday held a dramatic last-ditch push to secure the magic number of 320 MPs votes he needs for his new Brexit deal to pass through parliament.
Brexit: Boris Johnson 'invites' MPs to vote in support of his deal
In another day of high drama in Westminster the Prime Minister’s charm offensive saw him trying to woo Tory Brexiteers, Conservative Rebels and Labour backbenchers. With the nation on tenterhooks the best estimates suggest the “Super Saturday” showdown could go right down to the wire.
Calculations by the Daily Express show that Mr Johnson could get the deal over the line by just two votes after Labour MP Melanie Onn offered her support last night.
She urged fellow Labour MPs to "use this unique chance to help us move on and get back to helping our constituents".
"The risk of letting this final shot at a deal slip through our fingers is too great.
"Our collective hope rests on brave Labour MPs, and indeed others, who can see that," she said.
Ms Onn is one of several Labour MPs who have signalled they will back the PM.
So far 15 MPs have said they would switch to backing Mr Johnson’s new deal having voted against Theresa May’s doomed withdrawal agreement earlier this year.
They included Brexiteers Suella Braverman and Andrea Jenkyns.
Mark Francois, the vice-chairman of the hardline Brexiteer ERG group, said he "still had some concerns" about the deal, while another member, Andrew Bridgen, said the "vast majority" of the group "will come to the conclusion that this deal is tolerable".
Mr Johnson cannot rely on the 10 votes from the DUP, who have emphatically rejected his new Brexit plan but he is expected to pick up crucial support from around 17 Tory rebels including David Gauke, Philip Hammond and Nicolas Soames.
Former Cabinet Minister Amber Rudd has also indicated she is likely to back the PM.
A handful of ex-Tory independents are likely to vote for it, including Nick Boles and Charlie Elphicke as well as ex-Labour independents, most of whom have little loyalty to Jeremy Corbyn, including Ian Austin, John Woodcock and Frank Field.
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To get him over the line Mr Johnson needs the help of some Labour MPs.
John Mann, Jim Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Campbell, Graham Stringer, Kevin Barron and Sarah Champion have also signalled they would support the deal.
In a final pitch to Labour MPs last night the Government agreed to make a number of commitments that ensure increased protection of workers’ rights and environmental standards in domestic law.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The UK has a long and proud tradition of leading the way in workers’ rights and environmental protections where we have always set a high standard. We recognise that MPs want to see these hard won rights protected, not weakened by our departure from the EU and we are happy to ensure this is the case.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The UK has a long and proud tradition of leading the way in workers’ rights and environmental protections where we have always set a high standard. We recognise that MPs want to see these hard won rights protected, not weakened by our departure from the EU and we are happy to ensure this is the case.
“Both the public and parliamentarians should be in no doubt that as we leave the EU we will maintain and increase these protections both via the Withdrawal Agreement and future legislation.
“The public want Brexit done so we can focus on focus on the priorities of the British people, including the NHS and making sure that our children get the best possible education.”