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.
Monday 10 December 2018 17:08, UK
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.
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.