Theresa May urges divided Tory MPs to back her in key Brexit votes

Theresa May has pleaded with her divided MPs to get behind her ahead of key Brexit votes in the Commons this week.

The prime minister took the unusual step of speaking at a committee of backbench Tories in a bid to quell a potential rebellion among pro-EU Conservatives.

The government fears it could be defeated when its flagship EU (Withdrawal) Bill returns to the Commons on Tuesday, with MPs set to vote on 14 amendments passed by the House of Lords.

Ms May told her MPs support for the amendments would undermine her hand in negotiations with the EU.

Addressing a meeting of the 1922 Committee, she said: “We must think about the message parliament will send to the European Union this week.

“I am trying to negotiate the best deal for Britain. I am confident I can get a deal that allows us to strike our own trade deals while having a border with the EU which is as frictionless as possible. But if the Lords amendments are allowed to stand, that negotiating position will be undermined.”

The prime minister also called on Tory MPs to prove to the country that they are “united” in their determination to deliver Brexit.

She said: “The purpose of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is simple – it is putting EU legislation into law to ensure a smooth and orderly transition as we leave.

“But the message we send to the country through our votes this week is important. We must be clear that we are united as a party in our determination to deliver on the decision made by the British people.

“They want us to deliver on Brexit and build a brighter future for Britain as we take back control of our money, our laws and our borders.”

Her warning comes as the government makes a last-ditch bid to convince potential Tory rebels to step into line ahead of a series of knife-edge votes.

Ms May’s Commons majority is likely to be severely tested on several of the amendments, particularly one designed to keep the UK in the customs union and another that would give parliament a “meaningful vote” on the final deal negotiated with Brussels.

Ministers are cautiously optimistic they will be able to overturn the amendments, but Tory whips are continuing to hold tense conversations with potential rebels.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads the European Research Group of Eurosceptic Conservatives, said he believed the government had the numbers to see off any rebellion.

He told LBC: “I think there will be some unity this week, it won’t be perfect but it ought to be enough to get the bill through and to reinforce the strength of Theresa May’s position.”

However, one potential rebel, Health Committee chair Sarah Wollaston, said she was “minded” to support the amendment for a meaningful vote and wanted more concessions from the government in relation to the customs union.

She told BBC Radio 4: “We would like to see further concessions on the amendment on the customs union because it is just a very sensible amendment that says keep it on the table, don’t completely rule it out.”