Sign up here to receive the daily news briefing in your inbox every morning with exclusive insight from the BrexitCentral team Prime Minister could drop ‘meaningful vote’ on Brexit deal if it lacks support… Theresa May has indicated she may not bring her deal back to parliament for a third vote if there is not enough support for it. In a letter to her fellow parliamentarians, she wrote: “If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April.” The prime minister set out four options available following the EU’s acceptance of a delayed departure date. The first option Mrs May sets out in her letter – to revoke Article 50 – would “betray the result of the referendum”, she writes. She explains how the second option, leaving the EU with no deal on 12 April, has already been rejected by MPs. – Sky News Vote on Theresa May’s deal may not happen next week – BBC News Theresa May’s third meaningful vote might now be cancelled – Robert Peston for The Spectator Theresa May must finally recognise that her Brexit strategy has failed – Telegraph editorial (£) The one way to give MV3 a chance of passing – James Forsyth for The Spectator Wanting a historical legacy explains May being resigned to no deal – Iain Martin for Reaction …as she draws up plans for MPs to have ‘indicative votes’ on different options… Downing Street is considering offering MPs votes on different Brexit options in a move which Cabinet critics believe will lead to a softer divorce from the European Union. Number 10 is set to offer MPs the chance to choose their preferred way forward from a list of seven choices next week in the hope one is backed by a Commons majority and breaks the Brexit impasse. But the move sparked a furious backlash from Brexiteer Tories who fear it will allow Remain-backing MPs to push the UK towards a deal with the European Union which will see Britain remain in a customs union with the bloc. – Telegraph (£) Ministers ‘divided’ over process for testing Brexit options – BBC News …but Liz Truss warns Theresa May to accept No Deal next week instead of pushing Brexit back Theresa May should opt for No Deal over accepting a lengthy Brexit delay, Liz Truss said today. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury said No Deal was now “more likely” than a long delay if the PM’s deal is defeated again in the Commons next week. Asked if she would rather a No Deal than an extension, Ms Truss told The Sun: “God yes. No extension.” She added: “I believe No Deal is better than a long extension.” And Ms Truss, who is Chancellor Philip Hammond’s deputy, said Britain was ready for a No Deal. Dismissing gloomy forecasts of an economic fallout after a No Deal Brexit, she added: “I don’t believe the plague of locusts stuff.” – The Sun Brexit’s fate ‘is in British hands’, says Donald Tusk… Brexit’s fate is “in the hands of our British friends” after EU leaders agreed to delay the departure date by at least two weeks, says Donald Tusk. If MPs approve Theresa May’s withdrawal deal next week – Brexit would be delayed from 29 March until 22 May. But if they do not, the UK has until 12 April to come up with a new plan. European Council President Mr Tusk said that until 12 April, “anything is possible” including a much longer delay or cancelling Brexit altogether. – BBC News …as Leo Varadkar says Brexit ‘could be delayed for a year’ The Irish prime minister has said Brexit could be delayed for another year if British MPs decide they want the government to radically change its policy. Leo Varadkar said there were now three realistic options after Thursday night’s agreement to delay Brexit. He said MPs could back the current deal or choose to leave without a deal. Alternatively, they could choose a much closer future relationship with the EU than is currently proposed. – BBC News Would the EU abandon Varadkar? Perhaps. But it’s not at all likely. – Henry Hill for Conservative Home Tom Watson defies Jeremy Corbyn to back second referendum Tom Watson will tell supporters today that a second Brexit referendum is the “only way to resolve” the impasse, in defiance of Labour’s official policy. The deputy leader will offer to support Theresa May’s deal next week if she agrees to put it to voters along with the option of remaining in the EU. Jeremy Corbyn says that Labour will back another vote only if it cannot force an election and opposes Mrs May’s deal in all circumstances. In a speech that shreds that, Mr Watson will say that he has reluctantly come to the conclusion that voters must have another say. – The Times (£) > Janet Pritchard on BrexitCentral today: Labour’s anti-Brexit agenda and talking down Britain have driven me to quit the party Nigel Farage back in frontline politics as Brexit Party leader… Nigel Farage is returning to frontline politics in the UK as leader of the newly established Brexit Party. The ex-UKIP leader is taking over from Catherine Blaiklock, who quit over what he said were “horrible and intolerant” comments on Twitter about Islam. Mr Farage said the party was currently a “virtual” entity but would mobilise at short notice if the UK ended up taking part in European elections. He said Leave voters “betrayed” by the political classes needed a voice. – BBC News …as voters demand Brexit on 29th March… Public frustration with the UK’s delayed withdrawal from the EU was laid bare last night by a poll showing voters overwhelmingly want Brexit to go ahead on time next week. Nearly half of voters (48 percent) quizzed in the exclusive ComRes survey “just want Brexit sorted” and “don’t really care how”. Nearly eight out of ten (78 percent) blame Parliament for the postponement of the withdrawal date that had been set for this coming Friday. Almost four out of ten think Commons Speaker John Bercow, who intervened to block Theresa May’s plans this week, is trying to thwart Brexit. – Express …and parties gear up for possible European elections Political parties are preparing for European elections as Brexit uncertainty continues. Plaid Cymru said it was “ready” for the vote at the end of May, while UKIP said it was on an “electoral red alert”. Liberal Democrats also said they’re making “the necessary preparations”. The Conservatives said they had “no plans” for participating in the elections and Labour MEP Derek Vaughan said his party had held no discussions about standing in the polls. – BBC News Britain needs a no-deal Brexit now – not a long delay, say entrepreneurs in swipe at CBI A no-deal Brexit now is preferable to the uncertainty caused by a long delay to leaving the European Union entrepreneurs say today. The views of the businesses – which typically employ hundreds of staff and are spread across the country – are at odds with large companies, which again yesterday said a long delay was better than Brexit. A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry said: “Any extension should be as short as possible, but as long as necessary.” He added: “No-one wants Brexit to drag on but faced with the choice of a harsh no deal, businesses will back an extension every day of the week.” However small to medium sized companies disagreed, telling The Telegraph that quitting the EU as soon as possible was far preferable to months of uncertainty. William Hynett, chief executive of Isle of Wight-based civil aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman, said: “The optimum path from here is to exit on WTO terms now and then commence negotiations for the next stage.” – Telegraph (£) Brussels suggests ‘neighbourly cooperation’ with the UK… After yesterday’s lengthy Brexit talks, European leaders dropped some not-so-subtle hints in London’s direction that sticking close to the EU club — even if not actually within in — comes with perks. The European Council on Friday began its second summit day with a celebration of European cooperation, marking the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area — the group of countries that includes all the EU members plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. It came on the morning after EU leaders granted a short extension to Brexit day, throwing a lifeline to MPs in the House of Commons who want to steer the government toward a closer post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Speaking about the EEA’s achievements, Council President Donald Tusk lauded “the spirit of neighborly cooperation.” – Politico …as EU demands £6m from the UK over claims ‘lazy’ Met Office broke contract Penny pinching Brussels chiefs have gone to war with the UK’s ‘lazy’ Met Office in an extraordinary row over millions of pounds of funding. The European Commission is demanding the UK return £6million granted to the weather watchers to help study climate change. In an astonishing move, the Commission claims the Met needs to hand back the cash because of “inadequate timekeeping procedures”. The cross-EU programmes date from 2008 to 2013 and the cash demand – at the height of Brexit tensions – follows a Brussels audit of Met Office work. Theresa May is already poised to hand Brussels £39billion – if she can get her Brexit deal through the Commons. Business Secretary Greg Clark – one of the most Europhile ministers in Theresa May’s Cabinet – has vowed to mount a legal challenge over the row. One person briefed on the case told The Sun: “Even Greg thinks there is an argument to take them on over this. – The Sun Operation Brock: Brexit emergency plan rolled out in England’s gateway to Europe… Kent residents and businesses are likely to get their first taste of Brexit disruption on Monday when officials implement a contingency plan aimed at reducing gridlock in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Operation Brock, a traffic management system designed to cope with queues of up to 13,000 lorries heading for the continent, will be fully activated by Kent police and local authorities. The decision to go ahead with the plan in just three days’ time was announced on Friday, even though Britain’s March 29 Brexit date has been delayed by at least two weeks following an EU summit on Thursday. – FT (£) …as police prosecute Brexit go-slow protestors Pro-Brexit campaigners have been prosecuted for inconsiderate driving while trying to bring roads to a standstill. According to organisers, the demonstrations aimed to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 29 March by causing gridlock on motorways and A-roads using a convoy of slow-moving vehicles. The protesters were aiming to target between 30 and 40 locations over the weekend, including the M25, M6 and M1. Devon and Cornwall police said the lead drivers of convoys on the A30 and M5 were stopped and prosecuted for careless and inconsiderate driving. The force said it had spoken to organisers of both protests beforehand and told them they were to ensure other motorists could pass them and not drop down to unsafe speeds. – Guardian Pressure grows on Theresa May to quit amid Brexit chaos Theresa May was under pressure to name a date for her departure last night after cabinet support drained away and the DUP made clear its lack of faith in her. Senior figures in No 10 confirmed that discussions on a timetable for the prime minister to stand down were under way. A Downing Street source said that even her closest allies believed it was inevitable she would have to resign. “It’s obvious that this is where things are headed,” they said. Mrs May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, held talks with opposition leaders yesterday about votes on alternatives to her Brexit deal. – The Times (£) Owen Paterson: A long Brexit delay would turn into a glorified second referendum In agreeing the 22 May extension, the Prime Minister’s view is clearly that it buys time to force the wretched Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament. But that deal does not deliver Brexit in anything but name. It is an abject humiliation. Throughout the lengthy transition period, the UK would be bound by EU law, under the jurisdiction of the ECJ, but with absolutely no say in the law-making process. Did anyone vote to “Take Back Control” to have laws which may not be in our best interests imposed upon us by a foreign power, be subject to substantial fines for non-compliance, from which there is no unilateral right of exit, and pay £39bn for the privilege? For this tragic fate to be avoided, the deal must be voted down. Without it, the agreed extension is not until 22 May, but 12 April, bringing the original question sharply into focus. Apart from the further humiliation of not delivering Brexit on time, what can be achieved in two weeks that has not been achieved in two years? – Owen Paterson for the Telegraph (£) Charles Moore: What’s at stake now is not just Brexit, but how we are governed as a country Theresa May is like a driver who takes her vehicle confidently down a cul-de-sac. After a bit, she reaches the brick wall which blocks the road. Instead of turning round to find another way, she just starts shouting at the passengers. As a result, they shout back. For as long as this happens, the vehicle goes nowhere. The logic of the situation is that someone else has to take the wheel. Unfortunately, this cannot be accomplished before March 29, the current legal date of our departure, and probably not within the short extension that she now seeks. Twice, Mrs May has called the “meaningful vote” upon which Parliament insisted, and been defeated by enormous margins. Now, armed with the threat of extension, she wants it voted on a third time, which shows that the vote was not meaningful to her. On Wednesday, she addressed the relevant voters (MPs) in terms so insulting that she probably sealed her own fate. – Charles Moore for the Telegraph (£) John Redwood: Why leaving without a Withdrawal Agreement is essential and good news Parliament has declared war on the people. The war can only be ended if we leave the EU on 29 March with no Withdrawal Agreement. The public has been very patient as 2 years 8 months have passed without fulfilling the promise to take control of our borders, our laws and our money. Parliament has endlessly re run the arguments of the referendum as if we had not done all that in the campaign and come to a decision. MPs against Brexit have been patronising or dismissive of Leave voters. We need to leave to create an independent democracy in our islands. We did not vote leave to achieve some changes to our trading arrangements. We voted leave to govern ourselves, to throw off the yoke of Brussels government. We voted against the lies that had wrecked our economy in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. We voted against the stream of laws and taxes coming out of the EU that damage our prosperity. We voted out to confirm we do not want to join the Euro and enter their emerging political union. – John Redwood’s Diary Camilla Tominey: As Brexit goes down to the wire, the EU are finally starting to blink t’s squeaky bum time on Brexit. Faced with the very real prospect of Britain “crashing out” without a deal, on Thursday the unthinkable happened: Brussels finally blinked. Having stared down Theresa May over her Withdrawal Agreement, the EU now appears to be wincing over the idea of a no deal exit – made more likely by the latest ultimatum issued by Brussels. Mrs May now has until April 12 to get her Withdrawal Agreement through parliament, and only then – if she wins, which looks unlikely – will she be granted a further extension until May 22 to allow all the necessary legislation to be passed. Forget what the Remainers might have you believe, not to mention the parliamentary bluster about non-binding “indicative” votes, for the next three weeks this is still very much a game of deal or no deal – Camilla Tominey for the Telegraph (£) The EU’s mask of unity is finally cracking as member states scramble to avoid no-deal – Pieter Cleppe for the Telegraph (£) Robert Peston: The EU has no appetite for another Brexit delay Now that I’ve had the opportunity to review the extraordinary and historic events that took place here in Brussels and talk to people involved in the talks, I have a new take on what happened and why. The big drivers for why the EU 27 leaders came up with their new formula for determining when and whether we Brexit are:EU leaders had – and have – zero confidence that the Prime Minister will win her meaningful vote next week, and they quite rationally decided it was unreasonable for them to determine in conditions of extreme pressure in seven days whether we are falling out at 11pm on the Friday.- Robert Peston for The Spectator Comment in Brief Why Greeks abhor and applaud Brexit – John Psaropoulos for The Spectator The EU’s mask of unity is finally cracking as member states scramble to avoid no-deal – Pieter Cleppe for the Telegraph (£) Brexit farce at the expense of the EU too – Britain can still have the last laugh – Alasdair Dow for Get Britain Out May’s deal can still be salvaged from this Brexit mess, but only if MPs get a say in what happens next – Lisa Nandy and Gareth Snell for the Telegraph (£) Brexit Betrayed by Extension – Joel Casement for Get Britain Out Brexiteers should not be naive about what MPs are prepared to do to stop a no-deal Brexit – Asa Bennett for the Telegraph (£) No-deal preppers are gorging on excitement Janice Turner for The Times (£) Jeremy Corbyn’s hypocrisy on Europe knows no bounds – Angela Smith for the Telegraph (£) Is Emmanuel Macron Tony Blair’s agent provocateur to ensure Brexit fails? – Telegraph (£) Brexit and the last days of democracy – Rolf Norfolk for Conservative Woman Neave had the boldness to make a home run from Colditz, and to help Thatcher beat Heath – Andrew Gimson for ConservativeHome If Theresa May is to get her Brexit deal she must offer up her job or we could face a general election – James Forsyth for The Sun Brexit is being betrayed by the political class – Gerald Warner for Reaction News in Brief Plaid Cymru could call for independence poll after Brexit – BBC News Best Brexit outcome would be Remain vote in a new referendum, says Luxembourg PM – Reuters If Britain rejects deal again, hard Brexit looms closer says Austria’s Kurz – Reuters France says Britain to leave EU on 12th April if no deal, not later – Reuters EU’s Brexit and China problems are intertwined – Politico Theresa May fights to remain PM as hardline Tories vow to avenge Brexit delay and seize power – The Sun Former college lecturer behind ‘cancel Brexit’ petition threatened to shoot Theresa May as series of her shocking posts are unearthed – Daily Mail Seeing the bright side of Brexit – behind the scenes with Telegraph cartoonists Matt Pritchett and Bob Moran – Telegraph (£) And finally… Uri Geller writes bizarre letter to Theresa May vowing to ‘stop you telepathically from leading Britain into Brexit’ Uri Geller has said he will telepathically stop Brexit if Theresa May refuses to do so. In an open letter to the prime minister, the illusionist – famed for bending spoons – said he felt “psychically and very strongly” that most Britons did not want the UK to leave the European Union. He wrote: “I love you very much but I will not allow you to lead Britain into Brexit. As much as I admire you, I will stop you telepathically from doing this – and believe me I am capable of executing it. Before I take this drastic course of action, I appeal to you to stop the process immediately while you still have a chance.” Geller, who is currently in Israel, used to live in the village of Sonning in Berkshire, which lies in Ms May’s Maidenhead constituency. In his letter, he said he had known Ms May for 21 years and that she had visited his home. – Independent