Theresa May has insisted it is still possible for the UK to leave the European Union on 29 March if enough MPs back a revised withdrawal deal, amid signs hardline Eurosceptics may be softening their demands.
In an article in the Daily Mail, the prime minister pleaded with MPs to get behind her deal, after she was forced to give them votes on extending article 50 and ruling out no deal if her withdrawal agreement does not pass.
“Our absolute focus should be on working to get a deal and leaving on March 29,” she wrote. “Doing so would give businesses and citizens the certainty they deserve.
“By committing Labour to holding a second referendum, despite promising to implement Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn has shown once again that he cannot be trusted to keep his promises. His cynical political games would take us back to square one.
“Instead, parliament should do its duty so that our country can move forward.” May is hoping to win round more hardline Eurosceptics to back her deal, playing on their fears that a delay to Brexit could mean a second referendum.
However, she needs a revised agreement from Brussels in the coming days on changes to the Irish backstop to prevent the UK being locked into a permanent customs union.