Brexit latest: A look back at a marathon two weeks for Theresa May as she battles to get deal through Parliament

Bonnie Christian29 November 2018
WEST END FINAL

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Theresa May has emerged wounded but defiant after a marathon two weeks since she unveiled her Brexit deal.

The Prime Minister has faced high-profile resignations from her Cabinet and a threat of a confidence vote amid a fierce backlash to her divorce deal.

After the deal was rubber-stamped by EU leaders last weekend, she is now in the middle of a two week roadshow around the UK to promote her Brexit plans before the Parliamentary vote on December 11.

As MPs get ready to debate the proposals for eight hours a day for five days ahead of this date, we take a look back at Mrs May’s marathon fortnight.

November 14

The PM announced that Cabinet had endorsed her draft deal with the EU despite her ministers being divided on the issue.

November 15

It prompted a swathe of high profile resignations, including Dominic Raab and Esther McVey who walked out over the divorce deal. Meanwhile, chief backbench Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister and launched a coup against her.

November 17

In an interview with BBC’s Panorama, Mrs May said there were two options for MPs: A withdrawal agreement based on her Chequers plan (which she says will avoid a hard border in Ireland and a break up of the UK) or a no-deal Brexit.

November 19

Mrs May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed business leaders at the CBI. In an effort to sell her Brexit withdrawal agreement, the PM said it will stop EU migrants ‘jumping the queue’ and that migration would become skills-based, with Europeans no longer prioritised over "engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi".

 Theresa May addressed business leaders at the CBI in an effort to convince them to support her Brexit deal
EPA

November 21

While under pressure from her MPs not to give any further ground, the PM met with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in a scramble to finalise the Brexit deal before a crucial EU summit at the weekend.

November 22

Mrs May told MPs in the Commons her deal would deliver the Brexit people voted for and "honour the referendum" and insisted the deal is “within our grasp.” She hailed a draft agreement on post-Brexit relations as “right for the whole of the UK.” The European Council confirmed the political declaration on the future relationship had been agreed in principle.

November 23

During a public phone-in on BBC Radio 5Live, the PM was asked three times to clarify whether she would resign if the Brexit deal fails to gain approval in the Commons. She responded: “I’m not thinking about me.”

November 24

In a letter to the nation, Mrs May pleaded for the support of the British public for her Brexit deal. She wrote that the agreement promises a “brighter future” and leaving the UK will be “a moment of renewal and reconciliation for our whole country.” She said the Brexit date of March 29, 2019 would mark when the UK must leave the labels of 'Leave' and 'Remain' behind for good and come together as one people.

Boris Johnson gave a speech at the DUP's conference in Northern Ireland saying Britain is on the verge of a "historic mistake" if it accepts the current Brexit deal.

Mrs May headed back to Brussels for further last minute talks with EU officials.

November 25

The 27 EU leaders approved an agreement on the UK’s withdrawal and future relations.

They insisted it was the “best and only deal possible” and paved the way for an “orderly withdrawal, giving the deal their blessing after only an hour’s discussion. European Commission President Mr Juncker warned MPs that it was the "only Brexit deal possible".

November 26

Mrs May faced a bruising session in the Commons after telling MPs to "back her deal or go back to square one." MPs from all side of the House savaged the Brexit deal. It was an hour before Tory backbench MP Nicky Morgan stood up to defend the Prime Minister.

US President Donald Trump said the Brexit deal would make it hard for the US and UK to trade.

November 27

The PM travelled to Wales and Northern Ireland to promote the deal. Mrs May ruled out renegotiating her deal, a second referendum and extending Article 50 after Tory loyalist Sir Michael Fallon said that the deal is “doomed."

November 28

The PM's Brexit publicity tour continued to Scotland. She then faced questions at PMQs and denied her deal will leave Britain poorer. Chancellor Philip Hammond admitted that the UK would be worse off after Brexit under all scenarios.

November 29

Mrs May agreed to a head-to-head debate with Jeremy Corbyn to be aired on the BBC before MPs vote on a deal. But protests from Labour over the broadcaster and the format threatened to derail the PMs gamble on an hour-long live debate.

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