THE ODD COUPLE
May and Corbyn agree another 24 hours of Brexit talks to hammer out deal as mutinous Tory backbenchers discuss plot to kick PM out
ODD couple Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn today agreed to ramp up Brexit talks in an unlikely bid to thrash out a deal.
The two leaders faced off in the PM's House of Commons office for a two-hour summit - and ordered their team to continue talking into the night, with a second round of negotiations coming tomorrow.
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As the pair talked today, Brexiteers were pushing to hold a secret ballot on Mrs May's future in a last-ditch bid to stop her stitching up Britain's EU exit with Labour.
With the UK's future hanging in the balance:
- Two pro-Brexit ministers resigned from the Government in protest
- Theresa May told Brexiteers they are to blame for the Corbyn talks
- MPs are set to force a delay to Brexit with a crunch Commons vote
- The EU has demanded clarity by the end of the week and warned a short extension will soon be off the table
- Cabinet ministers are bitterly divided over the next steps
- Parliament's Easter holiday is being cancelled to give more time to deal with the crisis
The Prime Minister opened talks with Mr Corbyn today after announcing a dramatic change of tack last night.
The two leaders met for two hours and ten minutes in Mrs May's Commons office along with other frontbenchers and aides - and agreed a plan for further talks this evening and all day tomorrow.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Today’s talks were constructive, with both sides showing flexibility and a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close.
"We have agreed a programme of work to ensure we deliver for the British people, protecting jobs and security."
A source said "intensive discussions" would take place on Thursday, with Stephen Barclay, Julian Smith, David Lidington and No10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell representing the PM.
But Mr Corbyn claimed he was disappointed that Mrs May is still holding to her red lines - saying: "We had a discussion and there hasn't been as much change as I expected.
"But we are continuing to have some discussions tomorrow morning to explore some of the technical issues. The meeting was useful but inconclusive."
The PM has vowed to come up with a compromise plan which the two leaders can then present to Parliament.
Brexit-supporting backbenchers fear that Britain will now end up staying in Europe's customs union - which would stop us striking trade deals around the world.
Once we are out, we are out. We cannot get back
Geoffrey Cox
But a Cabinet source told The Sun Mrs May won't sign up to the customs union even if her Brexit deal does get softer.
The source said: "There's no reason Labour can't agree to the customs arrangements that are already in the deal.
"We're also happy to write in protections for workers' rights so we don't slip behind the EU - and give Parliament a say over the future trade talks."
Tonight Attorney General Geoffrey Cox insisted that even if the UK does stay in the customs unoin, that would be better than leaving the EU at all.
He told the BBC: "I don’t want to see a customs union, let me make that clear. But if it is a choice between leaving and a customs union, then I will take leaving every single time. Once we are out, we are out. We cannot get back.
"A customs union is not some kind of sell-out. Even if it were to be negotiated, it still involves a massive repatriation of sovereign power to this country."
PMQS BLAST
Before meeting this afternoon, Mrs May and the Labour leader took public potshots at each other during Prime Minister's Questions.
Mr Corbyn opened his tirade saying: "I welcome the Prime Minster's offer for talks and look forward to meeting her later today - I welcome her willingness to compromise in order to resolve the Brexit deadlock."
But he then launched into a list of stats which he claimed prove the Government is failing Britain.
The Labour leader concluded: "Her Government will be marked down for what it is - a failure in the eyes of the people of this country."
Mrs May later hit back by slamming Mr Corbyn's response to the Salisbury novichok attack, blasting: "He preferred to believe Vladimir Putin than our own security services."
Earlier today, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told the BBC that a softer Brexit is inevitable thanks to Remainer MPs.
He said: "It's undesirable but it's the remorseless logic of the numbers of the House of Commons.
"If the Prime Minister's deal won't go through and No Deal in law is taken off the table, then the consequence of that is either a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all."
And he blamed Brexiteer hardliners who've refused to back the PM's deal for causing the current deadlock, saying they should accept "the least worst option" rather than risk Brexit collapsing altogether.
Mrs May said she would request a second delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal next Friday.
Any further extension must be signed off by EU leaders at a special summit on April 10.
But Brussels bosses are likely to demand details by the end of this week - meaning the PM has just 48 hours to cut a revised deal.
This is the only way to deliver the smooth, orderly Brexit that we promised
Theresa May
In a letter to all Tory MPs today, the PM blamed Brexiteers who won't vote for her deal for the need to seek Labour support instead.
She said: "I realise some of you will be concerned about the Government discussing the way forward with the Opposition.
"However, with some colleagues unwilling to support the Government in the division lobbies, this is the only way to deliver the smooth, orderly Brexit that we promised."
Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, confirmed that Britain can leave the EU on May 22 as long as a deal gets agreed within the next week.
But he warned that if there's no consensus, we will either crash out with No Deal next Friday or be forced to accept a months-long delay.
Irish PM Leo Varadkar called on Mr Corbyn to "rise to the occasion" and "show leadership" in Brexit talks.
The leftie leader could demand a second referendum as the price of his co-operation.
Labour MP Jo Stevens blasted today: "Any agreement reached needs to be put before the people in a public vote."
Mr Barclay admitted the question of a so-called "people's vote" might come up at the meeting, saying: "There are no preconditions to talks.
"I don't think we should have a second referendum because it takes us back to square one, is my personal view, but the Prime Minister will have the discussions and we will see where they lead."
But Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Shadow Business Secretary, insisted that if the pair reach the right deal a referendum is unnecessary.
Yesterday the Cabinet was locked in No10 for seven hours to agree a joint line.
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But they were reportedly split 50/50 over whether Mrs May should rule out No Deal for good and head for a months-long Brexit delay.
Senior figures including Liz Truss and Andrea Leadsom are now on resignation watch over fears they'll walk out in fury.
Tonight the House of Commons will vote on a law which would force the PM to delay Brexit instead of going for No Deal.
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PM Theresa May to delay Brexit again as she asks Jeremy Corbyn to help her hammer out softer EU exit deal
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