Boris Johnson news – live: PM faces fresh Brexit setback ahead of emergency Commons session as MPs threaten to delay vote
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has launched a charm offensive with expelled Tories, hardline Brexiteers and Labour MPs in a bid to get his Brexit deal passed at a special Commons sitting on Saturday.
But his plans were thrown into disarray after a cross-party bid led by expelled Tory Sir Oliver Letwin sought to delay approving the deal until the legislation has passed.
Tory MP John Baron caused alarm by claiming he is “inclined” to vote for the deal because the UK could still leave on no-deal basis at the end of the transition period in December 2020.
Boris Johnson insists his deal is a "vast, vast, vast step forward"
The PM told ITV News: "[The deal] busts out of the backstop, the previous problem with the deal, the previous deal that kept us locked in the customs union and the single market so, it's a vast, vast, vast step forward.
"And what it also does, which is good, is it creates a period, a transition period from end of October, end of this month, there's a period of standstill giving certainty to business and at the end of that it is perfectly correct that we will move to the new arrangements."
Mr Johnson insisted the agreement did not signal a "race to the bottom".
He said: "There's some good language in the level playing field stuff, in the Political Declaration about this country's ambitions on the environment and on social protection you know we're world leaders in this stuff, there are ways in which we want to go further than the EU.
"Under the freedoms that we will win it will be possible for instance for the UK to ban the export of live animals, which has caused offence over many years in this country and we can do all things differently to a higher standard and our aspirations to high levels of protection will be enshrined in the Political Declaration."
Pressed on whether he could rally MPs to back his Brexit deal, Mr Johnson said: "I think there is a is a very clear case for all of us to get this done."
Asked whether Saturday's vote was the biggest thing he has done professionally, the PM said: "Well I wouldn't deny that, I think it's a very big moment for our country.
"But also its a big moment for our democracy and parliamentarians because I do think we have a choice, which is we have to consider how long we can delay and seem to frustrate what was a pretty clear democratic expression of the will of the people and I think that it would be a great and a fine thing if we could get it done and come together tomorrow."
Labour MP Melanie Onn says she'll back the PM's deal
Onn, who represents Leave-voting Grimsby, urged her colleagues to back the deal in a joint op-ed in The Guardian with Tory MP Victoria Prentis.
They said MPs must “use this unique chance to help us move this 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,”
Expelled Tory Margot James says she will back the Brexit deal
Ms James said her decision is due to that fact 64% of her constituents in Stourbridge voted to leave the EU, but that she does have concerns about risks it may pose to the future of the UK.
"It is important to note that what I trust will be agreed by parliament tomorrow is just a starting point for negotiations about our future relationship with the EU," she said.
"I am disappointed that the PM has removed many of the commitments made by the former PM that provided for frictionless trade and maximum access to the single market for goods and services.
"But that is a debate for another day; the priority for parliament tomorrow is to get off the starting blocks by passing the deal."
Labour rebels will back Boris Johnson's deal
A string of rebel Labour MPs have defied Jeremy Corbyn and backed the Brexit deal, in a boost to Boris Johnson’s hopes of forcing it through the Commons.
Up to nine of the party’s MPs are now expected to vote with the Conservatives, after Ronnie Campbell, Sarah Champion and Melanie Onn – who all represent Leave-backing seats – spoke out.
Andrea Jenkyns 'would rather No Deal, but will accept Mr Johnson's'
Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns has said she would rather a no deal Brexit - but she'll take the deal on offer from Mr Johnson.
In a statement she said "It's not an easy decision to make, but it's time to be pragmatic. The deal is not perfect and No Deal would give us more freedom to some extent. The deal though represents a big improvement from May's withdrawal agreement.
"It's a proper Brexit."
Her support - alongside approval from Labour MPs like Melanie Onn and expelled Tories like Margot James - show the prime minister's deal has been able to draw on MPs across the political divide. But will it be enough come tomorrow?
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