A group of Labour MPs have put forward an eye-catching amendment to the motion, demanding a greater say for parliament in the next phase of the Brexit negotiations.
Stoke MP Gareth Snell and Wigan’s Lisa Nandy have put forward the motion, which has been signed by six Labour MPs and two ex-Labour MPs, who now sit as independents.
The Independent first revealed that Theresa May’s team were in talks with Labour MPs in Leave-backing areas over such plans earlier this month, in the hope of getting up to 20 MPs to back her deal.
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Snell and Nandy then floated the proposal which would give the Commons the power to set the negotiating mandate for the next stage of talks and a veto on any final deal.
Crucially, it has been signed by MPs who did not back Ms May’s deal last time, such as Stoke MP Ruth Smeeth and Great Grimsby’s Melanie Onn.
Onn resigned from the frontbench this week after being ordered to back a bid for a second referendum.
If the Speaker selects this amendment then it is likely to be controversial, as it basically paves the way for Labour MPs to get on board with Theresa May’s deal.
These MPs may not back her deal when it comes to the vote but signing this amendment shows they are at least open to it.
But why would they back May’s deal? In short, because their constituents voted to leave the EU. Many in this group represent northern, working class communities that overwhelmingly voted for Brexit.
But they still face a tough choice, even if their constituents want them to back the deal.
One Labour leaver told the Independent: “Anyone who supports the deal, the understanding is that they may have to look for another job once this is over. They won’t be fighting the next election.”
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, who has signed the amendment, said she would back the government anyway, joining serial Brexit rebels like Frank Field and Graham Stringer.
She told the BBC: “I actually think this is a positive move and I will be supporting the motion for the Withdrawal Agreement.
“Lots of people have problems with the Political Declaration, but they don’t, actually, have much disagreement with the Withdrawal Agreement.”
But Ms May needs more than a handful of Labour rebels to make up for members of the DUP and the Tory Brexiteers who still oppose her plan.
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