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Analysis

What PM hopes to achieve by pulling Brexit vote

By pulling the vote, the PM will be hoping she can convince Brussels there will be no deal without more movement on the backstop.

MPs voted to give themselves a say over Theresa May's plan B
Image: The PM simply couldn't get enough MPs to back her
Why you can trust Sky News

Up until this morning, Downing Street had insisted the vote was going ahead - but come midday, something changed.

Government sources have told Sky News that the vote is now being delayed.

The prime minister made a statement to the Commons at 3.30pm to explain why, and more importantly, what happens next.

Despite a massive PR blitz around the country and numerous appearances on the airwaves and in the Commons, the PM simply couldn't get enough MPs to back her.

Brexit deal: Is your MP for or against PM?
Brexit deal: Is your MP for or against PM?

The magic number that the prime minister needs to win the crucial Commons vote on 11 December is 318. Sky News has crunched the numbers.

She had spoken to a number of EU leaders and senior politicians over the weekend, hoping they might be persuaded to give a little ground on the Irish backstop.

The EU, so far, remains resolute that the withdrawal agreement cannot be changed.

But by pulling the vote, the PM will be hoping she can convince Brussels there will be no deal without a little more movement on the backstop.

The big question is whether Theresa May can achieve enough to secure the support she needs from parliament.