Sign up here to receive the daily news briefing in your inbox every morning with exclusive insight from the BrexitCentral team MPs could vote on key Brexit legislation as early as next week… Theresa May is preparing to give MPs a vote on the key piece of legislation enacting Britain’s exit from the European Union next week, as negotiations with Labour continue. The prime minister will discuss Brexit with her cabinet colleagues, with government sources suggesting one likely way forward is to table the withdrawal and implementation bill (WAB) in the next 10 days. Downing Street continues to insist that it hopes to secure parliamentary ratification of a Brexit deal in time to avoid the UK having to participate in next month’s European parliament elections. Bringing back the WAB, which parliament must pass in order to ratify May’s Brexit deal, would help to avoid the Speaker’s stricture that the government cannot hold another “meaningful vote” on an unchanged deal. May’s official spokesman said: “Every day that parliament doesn’t ratify the withdrawal agreement, the harder it will be to avoid the European parliamentary elections, and the prime minister has made clear that she doesn’t believe it is in the country’s interests to take part in those elections.” – Guardian May plans to hold another Brexit vote in next 10 days to try to avoid Euro election bloodbath – Express Theresa May could abandon talks with Labour and hold a forth Commons vote on her Brexit deal in next 9 days instead – The Sun …as Theresa May challenges Labour to back the Brexit Bill before a Euro election need take place Theresa May is preparing to challenge Labour to support the legislation needed to achieve Brexit if cross-party compromise talks break down. In a high-risk strategy, the prime minister is considering introducing the bill that would give effect to Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union within weeks. The move would effectively decouple the withdrawal agreement, which Labour largely supports, from the plan for a future relationship, to which it is demanding changes. It would also bypass the so-called meaningful vote on the complete package that has been rejected three times by MPs. Downing Street hopes that the new approach will put pressure on Brexiteer Labour MPs to support the legislation needed to ensure Brexit happens before European elections in a month’s time. Mrs May is also understood to have suggested that the passage of the Withdrawal and Implementation Bill through parliament could be a “forum” to allow MPs to compromise. – The Times (£) Labour dragging its feet in the Brexit talks, claims Downing Street Theresa May has accused Labour of dragging its feet over cross-party Brexit talks as discussions resumed following an 11-day Easter break. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Jeremy Corbyn’s party was approaching the talks in a “serious” way but said they had hit difficulties over timetabling, with Conservatives pressing for greater urgency. With Conservative MPs openly calling for Mrs May to name a date for her departure as PM, Downing Street is desperate to secure agreement in time to prevent European Parliament elections next month. Officers of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee were meeting in Westminster on Tuesday evening to consider proposals to change party rules to allow MPs to challenge Mrs May’s position as leader as early as June. Mrs May’s official spokesman told reporters: “The Prime Minister said discussions with Labour had been serious but had also been difficult in some areas, such as in relation to the timetable for the negotiations. “The PM said the Government’s position was that progress needed to be made urgently as it was vital to deliver on the result of the referendum and for the UK to leave the European Union as soon as possible.” – Belfast Telegraph …as Jeremy Corbyn says it is the Government which needs to move… The government says “progress needs to be made urgently” on Brexit talks with Labour – but that arranging time with the opposition has been “difficult”. Senior figures from both sides have been trying to break the deadlock by agreeing a Brexit deal MPs can support. No 10 said talks had “been difficult in some areas”, including “timetabling”. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government “really needs to move on” and change its Brexit agreement to solve the impasse. He said: “We cannot go on hearing this tired old mantra that the Brexit agreement has to be adhered to.” The deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU has been rejected twice by Parliament, with the withdrawal agreement – the terms on how the UK leaves the bloc, rather than its future relationship with it – defeated a further time. Weeks of talks resumed between the two parties in Westminster on Tuesday afternoon following the Easter break. – BBC News Labour says Theresa May unwilling to offer key Brexit concessions – Guardian > WATCH: Jeremy Corbyn on BBC News …while Cabinet ministers tell May to dump talks with Labour and focus on securing changes to win over the DUP Theresa May has been told by Cabinet ministers that she should end talks with Labour “immediately” and focus on overhauling her Brexit deal and winning round the DUP. Ministers including Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, and Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, are said to have warned that the talks are “damaging” the Government and the party. The Prime Minister defended the continuing talks with Labour, saying that while many in Cabinet disagreed with the ongoing discussions “we have to govern in the national interest” and “this course of action is what the country expects of us”. It came as Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of 1922 committee of backbench MPs, told the Prime Minister that Tory MPs want her to name a date for her departure during a meeting in her Westminster office. The executive of the committee subsequently discussed changing the rules to allow a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership in June. Under the current rules Mrs May is protected from another leadership challenge until December. No conclusion emerged on Tuesday night with a further meeting to discuss whether to change the rules on Wednesday. – Telegraph (£) Senior Tories continue mulling rule change to allow another move against May… Senior Conservatives are set to hold further talks on whether to change party rules to enable an early leadership challenge to Theresa May. Under current party rules, MPs cannot mount a fresh challenge against Mrs May until December – 12 months after the last failed no confidence vote in her. On Tuesday, the 1922 committee of backbench Tories failed to reach a decision on a rule change. It comes amid growing pressure for the PM to name the date of her departure. Last month, she pledged to stand down if and when Parliament ratified her Brexit withdrawal agreement. But some long standing Leave campaigners want her to announce a date now, irrespective of whether a Brexit deal is completed. Some of those who want to change the Conservative rules say another vote of confidence should be permitted after six months, rather than a year, if a relatively high number of MPs – 30% or 40% – call for it. But other members of 1922 Committee are sceptical of long term rule changes to address a very specific circumstance. They are also worried about showing further party divisions ahead of the potential European elections on 23 May. – BBC News Conservative grandees warn Theresa May her time is almost up – FT (£) …as one senior Conservative MP openly calls on her to quit… A senior Conservative backbencher has called on Theresa May to announce her resignation to allow a contest to choose her replacement to begin “straight away”. Nigel Evans, the joint executive secretary of the backbench Tory 1922 Committee, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that calls for the Prime Minister’s removal had become a “clamour” and he would be “delighted” if she announced plans to quit today. His comments came as Mrs May prepared to chair a meeting of her top ministerial team as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter break. – Belfast Telegraph …while May loyalists launch a counter-attack to save her Theresa May ‘loyalists’ launched a fierce bid to save her from the sack yesterday as rebel Tory MPs called for her head. Livid Ministers tore into senior Tories on the powerful 1922 backbench committee over their demand to rip up party rules to force a new no confidence vote in the PM this June. The demand was due to be voted on at a crisis meeting of the 18-strong Committee late last night. Brexit-backing 1922 executive Nigel Evans said he would be “delighted” if the PM quit NOW given the Brexit chaos – and said there was a growing “clamour” for her resignation. But fellow ’22 exec Antoinette Sandbach broke cover to demand he be sacked – for talking out of turn. And Ministers accused the plotters of destroying any hope the Tories had of a cutting their losses in next week’s local elections. One told The Sun: “It’s almost as if the executive of the 1922 have a death wish. They appear to be actively campaigning for a bad local election result.” Prison Minister Rory Stewart separately blasted the plot and said changing the PM now would do nothing to heal the huge divide in the party. He stormed: “The problem isn’t the Prime Minister, the problem is Brexit, “The country is split right down the middle.” – The Sun Join the ‘Remain alliance’, urges Change UK at Euro election launch… Change UK has launched its campaign for the European Parliamentary elections, with 70 candidates including journalist Rachel Johnson – sister of Tory MP and leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson. The party – formerly known as The Independent Group – is made up of 11 MPs who quit Labour and the Tories. They are preparing for the European election as the latest Brexit delay means the UK may have to take part. Change UK are a pro-Remain party who back another referendum on Brexit. Ms Johnson, who was most recently a member of the Liberal Democrats, said: “I’m sure that Boris understands why this is not a vote against Boris. “This is a vote for change. We need to move the dial. People need to have a say.” Interim leader Heidi Allen told the event in Bristol: “These elections are a chance to send the clearest possible message – we demand a People’s Vote and the right to campaign to remain in the European Union. We are not afraid to say it as clearly as that. “This is no rebel alliance. This is the home of the Remain alliance.” – BBC News Change UK candidate resigns over ‘Romanian pickpockets’ comments hours after campaign launch – Independent > WATCH: Change UK Leader Heidi Allen MP at its candidate launch …where Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel is unveiled as MEP candidate Rachel Johnson, the sister of Boris, has announced that she is standing as a European election candidate for the pro-Remain party Change UK as she directly criticised her Leave supporting brother. Ms Johnson accused her brother, the former foreign secretary, and those who led the campaign to leave the EU of “rubbing out” her children’s prospects. However, she insisted her candidacy to become an MEP representing the South West region was “not a vote against Boris”. She told The Evening Standard: “These are chances that the politicians who decided to campaign to Leave have enjoyed themselves. – Telegraph (£) Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel will fight Euro elections for anti-Brexit Change UK – The Sun Rachel Johnson and former BBC journalist Gavin Esler to stand in European election for Change UK – ITV News Brexit Party unites Leavers and Remainers over fears of Farage landslide in EU elections… Diehard Leavers and Remainers have united in fear of Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party and its pull for voters. A host of senior Conservatives have criticised both staunch supporters of both sides, claiming they have pushed Leave voters towards Farage. With the European elections taking place next month, many believe disillusioned voters will side with Farage. According to The Sun, the Brexit Party is odds on favourites to win the majority of seats in the UK. Despite promising to leave the EU by now, the UK must now take part in the elections. Sport Minister Mims Davies said: “So disappointing some people didn’t like democratic answer given and we haven’t been a Parliament that’s delivered. “Understand people feel strongly on both sides. But re-rise of UKIP and re-rise of Farage was completely avoidable. MPs must listen.” Former Tory Nick Boles added: “Are Labour and Conservative MPs really going to stand by and let the European elections put wind in the sails of both groups of Brexit extremists?” Voters are believed to ditch both the Conservatives and Labour after growing frustrated of the Brexit process. Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith even went so far as to say Theresa May was responsible for the Brexit Party’s remarkable rise. – Express > Annunziata Rees-Mogg on BrexitCentral today: If MPs don’t deliver Brexit as promised, I fear for the future of our democracy …as Ann Widdecombe announces she will fight Euro election for the Brexit Party… Ann Widdecombe has said she is leaving the Conservatives to join the Brexit Party, the latest Tory defection over Theresa May’s attempts to take Britain out of the EU. The 71-year-old, who has been a member of the Conservative Party for 55 years, campaigned hard for Brexit and has been outspoken in her views of the Prime Minister. She told the Daily Express: “In early May I shall do what I have always done since I first got the vote fifty years ago, and put my cross by the Conservative candidate in the local elections – but a couple of weeks later on May 23 I shall do what I have never done and cast my vote for a different party. “Nay, I am going further than that: I am standing for the Brexit Party in order that I may campaign vigorously and convince my fellow voters that this time it is imperative to fire a very loud warning shot across the bows of the parties they normally support.” The former Shadow Home Secretary said she would aim to stand in the South West for election to the European Parliament on May 23. – Telegraph (£) Ann Widdecombe, 71, sensationally quits the Tories and defects to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party – The Sun Ann Widdecombe defects to Farage’s Brexit Party – Express …and Nigel Farage claims his new Brexit Party could ‘stop a second referendum’ Nigel Farage has said his new Brexit Party could thwart a second referendum if it is successful in the upcoming European elections. The former Ukip leader made the threat as he unveiled a fresh slate of candidates for next month’s poll, which includes a former communist and an ex-commando, who has fought in Afghanistan. The leading Brexiteer also vowed to target Labour voters in the party’s heartlands in south Wales, the midlands and the north of England, where he hopes to capitalise on Jeremy Corbyn’s equivocation over Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. Speaking at an event in Westminster, Mr Farage said: “Leavers have to get themselves mentally prepared that there could be a second referendum. “Rather than just saying it is never going to happen.” He added: “It seems to me that the better the Brexit Party does on 23 May, the less chance there is of the people of this great country being insulted by being made to vote again. – Independent Nigel Farage’s latest Brexit Party candidates revealed as ex-Communist and Special Forces veteran as it tries to pinch Labour voters – The Sun > WATCH: Richard Tice and Nigel Farage MEP at the Brexit Party’s new candidates launch Juncker warns nations as bloc faces eurosceptic takeover EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned of “fake news” around next month’s European elections as he revealed his fears for the upcoming vote. The EU boss claimed there were moves from member states and countries outside the bloc to manipulate the May elections where eurosceptics are expected to gain ground. Mr Juncker told German newspaper Funke Mediengruppe: “I can see an attempt to rig the European Parliament elections. This comes from several quarters, and not only from outside the EU. States within the EU are also seeking to direct the will of voters in a particular direction with fake news.” The EU Commission President insisted he would deal with any false claims made during the election campaign. Mr Juncker said: “If governments make allegations about the EU or the commission, which do not correspond to the truth, then we must respond. I will do this myself more in the weeks to come before the election.” – Express Nigel Evans: Theresa May must go now or the damage to Brexit and the Tories will only get worse The journey from June 23rd 2016, referendum day, to the present has been a journey from total joy to utter desperation. The victory for Leave on that day has been followed by a number of defeats which have led many people to throw their hands in the air in frustration, breathed new life into Nigel Farage and his Brexit Party, created another political entity called Change, and has led us from one delay to multiple ones and then to an announcement that we are calling for candidates to contest the EU elections after we told the world we would never be fighting them again. I joined the Conservative Party 44 years ago in the Tory wasteland of Swansea. At the age of 17 I was knocking on council house doors pushing Conservative propaganda to a reluctant audience. Over my 27 years as a Conservative MP I have been ferociously loyal to all my leaders irrespective of their leanings, and particularly so to Theresa May. When the PM called the snap election of 2017 along with the publication of a toxic manifesto which might as well have had the grim reaper on its cover, I rode behind the Prime Minister to call for her to be given another chance. I rallied to her when she had the disastrous conference speech when one of my colleagues was calling for her to go. I have even reluctantly voted twice for her “deal” in order to get at least something over the line. To say that I am not impressed with the handling of the Brexit negotiations is something of an understatement. According to one poll, 93 per cent of the public believe that we’ve handled them badly. I sometimes wonder what planet the other 7 per cent are living on. – Nigel Evans MP for the Telegraph (£) Express: Get a new Brexit plan fast We’ve all had a timely break from Brexit over Easter. But one person who can’t have felt much respite is Theresa May, upon whom the pressure increases. The Brexit delay has only put wind in the sails of those who want to see her gone by the end of June; a government re-shuffle has been abandoned and moves by rank and file Tories are afoot to force through a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister. Mrs May battles on and we admire her tenacity. There’s still a chance that she could force her deal through parliament in time to avoid fighting the European elections and it’s not impossible that ongoing talks with Jeremy Corbyn could end positively. But the PM increasingly cuts a lonely figure, abandoned by members of her own party and openly mocked by the opposition. Brexit is not dead but Mrs May needs to come up with a new plan – and fast – if the wishes of the majority of the British people are to be honoured. – Express editorial Ben Kelly: Shambolic Change UK made to look like amateurs by slick Brexit Party Britain is on course to vote in the European Parliament elections in a month’s time. This obviously provides a massive opportunity for both Brexiteers and Remainers to make a statement amidst an ongoing political crisis. Brexiteers can argue that remainers and “the establishment” are trying to overturn Brexit and need a boot up the backside. Remainers can point to the disastrous Brexit process, and to political inertia, and call upon the support of a huge constituency of frustrated voters. Everything hinges on political messaging and tactics and so far it’s Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party that has set the agenda. Clearly, they have a major advantage in being a unified pro-Brexit force competing only with the far right UKIP while Remain voters can choose between Change UK, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats if they want to support unequivocally Remain candidates and Labour if they’re still deluded. This splitting of the Remain vote will inevitably mean the Remain supporting parties end up with fewer MEPs than if they had joined forces under one banner. Change UK has come in for criticism for refusing to support a “Remain alliance” or sign up to a “non-aggression pact”. However, the reasoning behind their reluctance is understandable. Change UK is trying to become a new political force that is about more than Brexit and don’t want to be tarnished by association with the Liberal Democrats or the Greens. Fine. The problem is, they are doing fine only at tarnishing themselves. – Ben Kelly for Reaction Chris White: What will happen next on Brexit now that Parliament has returned? The Brexit Party has Annunziata Rees-Mogg, The Independent Group/Change UK/The Remain Alliance has Rachel Johnson – it’s a family affair, but not as we know it. As the parties unveil their candidates for the elections that few thought we would have – and quite a few would rather we didn’t – Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party looks set to get more votes than any other single party. However, Theresa May seemingly still believes that the EU elections, and the bizarre spectacle of electing MEPs for six months before leaving, can be avoided. She will be hoping that MPs will also want to avoid this at any cost, and indicated the timescale she is working to when, announcing the six month extension to the Commons, she said: “if we were able to pass a deal by 22 May, we would not have to take part in European elections.” The EU would then have to ratify this change before 31st May, allowing the UK to leave with a deal. It is remarkable how silent the Member for West Dorset (Oliver Letwin) has been in the last two weeks since the failure of the House to vote for further indicative votes as part of the consideration of the Cooper-Letwin Bill (recall that the Speaker cast his deciding vote in the tie against further debate). The Commons clearly couldn’t agree on a single option, so we wait and see if further attempts will be made to capture days. The Speaker has also suggested that the House could use the emergency debates procedure under Standing Order 24 for amendable motions in another ‘novel’ interpretation of procedure. Unfortunately, my crystal ball, at this point, clouds over somewhat. My best guess is that the Prime Minister won’t try and bring forward a further vote on its deal before the European Elections, despite pressure from some Cabinet members to do so. and will think about trying in the immediate aftermath. – Chris White for ConservativeHome Brexit in Brief The UK’s post-Brexit future in oil and gas – Get Britain Out’s Joel Casement for The Commentator Our Brexit limbo has given us two new parties, but the same old politics – Rafael Behr for the Guardian ‘Be honest and fly the EU flag!’ Theresa May attacked for St George’s Day tribute – Express Nigel Farage to exploit Adonis snub and woo left-wing Leavers – The Times (£)