Tory whip Gareth Johnson has resigned, saying he cannot support May’s deal in Tuesday’s vote
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory chair of the European Research Group, says the EU will not agree an end date for the backstop. Does that make May doubt their sincerity when they say they don’t really want it?
May says the EU has been clear about not wanting the backstop
Sir Desmond Swayne, the Tory Brexiter, says that to guarantee Brexit, she should prorogue parliament until April. “Tempting, isn’t it?”
May jokes that it is tempting.
Kate Hoey, the Labour Brexiter, asks May to state categorically that the UK will be leaving on 29 March. May says the UK will be leaving then.
Greg Hands, the Tory former minister, says EU officials think the deal is a great deal for them. Matin Selmayr, the secretary general of the European commission, has said it will show that leaving the EU does not work.
May says she thinks the deal is a good one for the UK.
Labour’s Chris Leslie says May is asking MPs to trust her. Anything could happen in the next two years. Who will be her successor who will conclude the negotiations on the next stage after two years.
May says the EU cannot start trade talks with the UK until it has left. She ignores the question about her successor.
Mark Francois, a Tory Brexiter, says the withdrawal agreement will be an international agreement that will outrank any UK legislation. He asks May to confirm that the Tusk/Juncker letter does not over-rule the treaty. It is a small figleaf.
May says the assurances have standing in international law.
Labour’s Barry Sheerman says MPs need more time. Why can’t they have it?
May says by 29 March it will be almost three years since the referendum. MPs voted overwhelmingly for article 50, which set the date for Brexit.
Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the home affairs committee, says May has worsened divisions by not consulting and by delaying votes. She asks May to confirm she has not ruled out delaying article 50.
May says she is clear the UK will leave the EU on 29 March. That is in legislation, she says.
David Jones, a Tory Brexiter, says the Tusk/Juncker letter could make MPs even more likely to vote against the deal.
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