As Theresa May attempts to reopen negotiations on the terms of the backstop, there is a view in Downing Street that May won’t be able to win any substantial changes until Yvette Cooper’s no deal amendment has been defeated for a second time. The Prime Minister will put down a neutral motion next Wednesday and amendments to that motion are expected to be voted on the following day. The expectation is that Cooper will bring back her amendment which would force the government to try and extend Article 50 if a no deal scenario looked likely.
There’s a concern in government that this time the amendment could pass. A number of Tory MPs may become more anxious about the prospect of no deal when it’s two weeks closer ad a deal still doesn’t look imminent.
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