What the papers say: Tory Brexit rebels have some explaining to do

The EU withdrawal bill survived its first Parliamentary test last night. But it still has a long way to go, and a group of Tory MPs are likely to ensure that it is far from plain sailing for the government. For those on the Conservative back benches plotting to defy the Prime Minister on this Brexit bill, the Daily Telegraph has a message: why? The paper says that Labour MPs hoping to ‘put every obstacle in the path of Brexit’ can at least make the point they are in opposition. Rebel Tory MPs have no such excuse, according to the Telegraph, pointing out that many of this group backed the triggering of Article 50 and yet now appear to have changed their minds. This isn’t a ‘witch hunt’, insists the Telegraph, which praises Ken Clarke for his ‘excellent speech’ yesterday in which he explained why he is opposed to Brexit.