‘People’s vote’: backers bide their time to force Labour’s hand

Campaigners believe best moment to win over Corbyn will come after Commons vote

Backing for a second Brexit referendum in parliament is unlikely to be tested until after next week’s meaningful vote, as campaigners weigh up the best moment to try to win over the Labour leadership.

The Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston has scrapped plans to table a “doctors’ amendment” calling for the public to be allowed to exercise “informed consent” about Theresa May’s deal.

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No-deal Brexit would put thousands of UK jobs at risk, CBI to warn

Exclusive: Carolyn Fairbairn of industry body will urge MPs to put economy before politics

A no-deal Brexit would have profound economic consequences with GDP shrinking by up to 8%, putting thousands of jobs at risk, the Confederation of British Industry is to warn.

The business body is urging MPs to back Theresa May’s deal, describing it as a “solution” businesses can work with as it delivers a transition period and avoids a “hugely damaging cliff edge”.

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Theresa May contacts union leaders for Brexit deal support from Labour

Guarantees over workers’ rights offered, as prime minister eyes compromise

Theresa May has sparked hopes among senior Labour figures that she is laying the groundwork to compromise on her Brexit deal after next week’s meaningful vote, following a flurry of contacts with union leaders and MPs in recent days.

Conservative ministers were calling around Labour MPs on Thursday – including at least one member of the shadow cabinet – to gauge support for May’s deal if she beefs up pledges on workers’ rights.

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Theresa May loses grip on Brexit deal after fresh Commons humiliation

Amendments mean PM would have with little room to move if Brexit deal rejected next week

Theresa May’s room for manoeuvre should her Brexit deal be rejected next week was further constrained on Wednesday night, after the government lost a second dramatic parliamentary showdown in as many days.

An increasingly boxed-in prime minister must now set out her plan B within three working days of a defeat next Tuesday, after the rebel amendment passed.

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May hopes for EU assurance before Brexit meaningful vote

Brussels says PM likely to be offered ‘exchange of letters’ confirming EU’s intention to quickly conclude trade talks

Theresa May hopes to secure last-minute assurances from the European Union before next Tuesday’s meaningful vote over Brexit, although there are significant differences between the sides and scepticism that rebel Tories can be won over.

Brussels sources said at lunchtime on Monday that the prime minister was likely to be offered an “exchange of letters” confirming the EU’s intention to quickly conclude trade talks with the UK.

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Brexit: May says vote on deal will go ahead as speculation mounts of delay

PM says parliament may get more say on EU ties but warns critics risk harming democracy

Theresa May has insisted she will go ahead with a crucial vote on her Brexit deal amid growing speculation that it could be delayed.

The prime minister said she was seeking further clarification from the EU to address the concerns of MPs, as well as specific measures relating to the backstop on Northern Ireland before the vote in the week beginning 14 January.

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May and Juncker speak as she struggles to break Brexit impasse

No 10 refuses to provide details of call, with PM battling to obtain assurances on backstop

Theresa May has spoken to Jean-Claude Juncker as part of her effort to obtain further written reassurances that the Irish border backstop in her Brexit deal would never come into force.

The phone call between the prime minister and the European commission president on Friday was described by Brussels as “friendly” but Downing Street refused to provide any further details, as May struggles to break the Brexit impasse.

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Police reinforcements for Northern Ireland in case of no-deal Brexit

Almost 1,000 officers from rest of UK to start training to deal with trouble arising from hard border

Almost 1,000 police officers from England and Scotland are to begin training for deployment in Northern Ireland in case of disorder from a no-deal Brexit, the Guardian has learned.

The plans were put in place after Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chiefs asked for reinforcements to deal with any trouble that arises from a hard border. The training for officers from English forces and Police Scotland is expected to begin this month.

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