Brexit news: Theresa May stands by her deal in face of renewed threat from Conservative rebels
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Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has claimed her Brexit blueprint is “the only deal available” after she travelled to Europe in a desperate scramble to win concessions from EU leaders.
The prime minister was forced to shelve Tuesday's crunch vote on the withdrawal agreement in the face of near-certain defeat by Tory rebels, embarking instead on a whistle-stop diplomatic tour of European capitals.
It comes as Tory rebels renewed a push to overthrow her, with some members of the European Research Group claiming more letters calling for her resignation have been submitted.
Meanwhile, Downing Street said the delayed vote would take place by 21 January, though insiders hope it could be before depending on what happens in Brussels.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Jeremy Corbyn is now opening the emergency debate on the government's decision to delay the Commons vote on the Brexit deal.
He says during his 35 years as an MP he has had "major disagreements" with all prime ministers, adding:
"But I have never in all those years witnessed such an abject mess as this prime minister is making of these crucial Brexit negotiation."
He claims May "demeaned her office" by delaying the vote.
MPs are claiming Theresa May told EU officials that she was delaying the "meaningful vote" 24 hours before she informed the Cabinet and Parliament.
Jeremy Corbyn says the reports are "very concerning" and that Parliament should have been informed first.
SNP MPs call on Jeremy Corbyn to table a motion of no confidence in the government.
He declines, saying:
"We have no confidence in this government [but] we need to do the appropriate thing at the appropriate time in order to have a motion of no confidence to get rid of this government."
Corbyn says Theresa May is travelling around Europe in search of "warm wards".
Referencing this incident, he says "she can't even get out of the car to hear them".
Jeremy Corbyn says there are more problems with the proposed Brexit deal than the backstop:
"It is not only the backstop that is a problem for members. Many will not vote for a blindfold Brexit on the basis of a 26-page wish list that fails to guarantee the 'frictionless trade' that the Prime Minister promised, that fails to maintain our membership of vital agencies and programmes, that fails to ensure our rights and protections will keep pace, that fails to provide for a comprehensive customs union with a UK say."
Wrapping up, Jeremy Corbyn says Parliament must be given a vote on the Brexit deal "immediately" if Theresa May cannot secure meaningful changes:
"If she comes back with nothing more than warm words then she must immediately put her deal before this House, no more delays, no more tricks, let Parliament take back control.
If not, then she must go. We cannot tolerate delay any longer.
With a legally enshrined exit date of 29 March 2019 just over 100 days away, we cannot allow this shambles to endure and neither can we risk falling into ‘no deal’."
David Lidington, Theresa May's deputy, is responding for the government.
He refuses to confirm when MPs will be given a vote on the Brexit deal.
The cabinet office minister says that, by seeking further assurances from the EU, the prime minister is responding to the points made "again and again" by MPs from across the Commons.
But the SNP's Pete Wishart says Theresa May - the "worst dancing queen in history" should come back to the Commons and "face her Waterloo".
David Lidington confirms that the provisions of the Dominic Grieve amendment passed last week still stand, meaning MPs will be able to amend the government's plan for what should happen if Theresa May's Brexit deal is rejected.
Speaking in the Commons, David Lidington faces calls to hold the "meaningful vote" before Christmas.
He says MPs will be given a vote "sooner rather than later, but we need to know the outcome of the discussions that the prime minister is having before we can determine the exact timing".
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