AG百家乐在线官网

Which MPs could make - or break - the PM's Brexit deal?

Boris Johnson needs Labour MPs prepared to defy Jeremy Corbyn, Tories he sacked or independents to help him "get Brexit done".

Boris Johnson is hoping to succeed where Theresa May failed
Image: Boris Johnson is hoping to succeed where Theresa May failed
Why you can trust Sky News

The House of Commons will on Saturday vote on the prime minister's Brexit deal - with the result expected to come down to fine margins.

Boris Johnson needs about 320 MPs to support his deal in order for it to be approved, assuming no one abstains, but there are only 287 voting Conservative MPs.

It means he needs to pick up more than 30 votes from other parts of the Commons in order to be successful.

So, where could those votes come from?

  • Labour MPs who want a Brexit deal

There are a number of Labour MPs who represent Leave-supporting areas who have previously said they would vote for a Brexit deal.

Caroline Flint has added her name to the letter
Image: Caroline Flint may support the prime minister's deal

A total of five Labour MPs supported Theresa May's Brexit deal on its third vote in the House of Commons.

What's new about Boris Johnson's Brexit deal?
What's new about Boris Johnson's Brexit deal?

The government has declared that the backstop has been ditched in a new deal which will be put to MPs in a weekend sitting

These were Sir Kevin Barron, Rosie Cooper, Jim Fitzpatrick, Caroline Flint and John Mann.

More on Boris Johnson

But Mr Johnson will be hoping to pick up more support from the Labour benches for his deal.

Labour MP John Mann says he wants to get Brexit completed
Image: Labour MP John Mann says he wants to get Brexit completed

Sarah Champion and Ronnie Campbell are poised to back his agreement, while Ruth Smeeth and Gareth Snell are among those Labour MPs who have previously said they want to support a deal.

Earlier this month, a total of 19 Labour MPs - including Ms Flint, Ms Champion, Sir Kevin, Mr Fitzpatrick, Mrs Smeeth and Mr Snell - wrote to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to urge the EU to strike a new Brexit deal with the prime minister.

Call to de-select Labour MPs backing Boris' deal
Call to de-select Labour MPs backing Boris' deal

Any MPs who support the PM should not be allowed to stand as Labour candidates at the next election, say members of Labour's NEC

However, it is not guaranteed all of that number will now support Mr Johnson's agreement.

  • Former Tory MPs

In September, the prime minister withdrew the whip from 21 Conservative MPs - effectively expelling them from the party - for voting against him on Brexit.

How MPs plan to derail Boris Johnson's Brexit strategy
How MPs plan to derail Boris Johnson's Brexit strategy

Plans are underway to force the PM into seeking a Brexit delay, as well as moving towards a second EU referendum or an election

It has been suggested they could be given a way back into the party if they now support Mr Johnson's deal, as Number 10 scrambles to gain their backing for the Brexit agreement.

Alistair Burt MP on Ridge on Sunday.
Image: Alistair Burt has said he will vote in favour of the prime minister's deal

Former ministers Richard Benyon and Alistair Burt have already said they will vote in favour of the prime minister's deal.

But, others in the group, such as Sir Oliver Letwin, Philip Hammond and David Gauke, are instead spearheading a proposal for MPs to withhold their approval for Mr Johnson's agreement until all the subsequent legislation needed to implement the deal is passed.

Philip Hammond is leading the informal group of rebel MPs
Image: Philip Hammond wants MPs to withhold their approval for the agreement until all the legislation needed to implement the deal is passed

Fellow former Tory MP Ed Vaizey said: "We have to pass the legislation and nobody wants to be in a position where the legislation somehow fails and we crash out of the EU.

"I've always tried to stop a no-deal Brexit."

Oliver Letwin
Image: Sir Oliver Letwin has tabled an amendment to the prime minister's deal

Their plan comes in the form of an amendment to Mr Johnson's deal, tabled by Sir Oliver, and - if it passes - will see the prime minister have to comply with existing legislation compelling him to seek a three-month Brexit delay from the EU.

:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on , , ,

Although it won't be enough for him to escape the requirement to seek a further Brexit delay, the passage of Sir Oliver's amendment could be viewed as support for Mr Johnson's deal in principle.

PM's deal could be scuppered within the next 48 hours
PM's deal could be scuppered within the next 48 hours

Like Theresa May before him, Boris Johnson has got Brussels onside but not the Democratic Unionist Party, writes Sky's Beth Rigby

This would allow him to push ahead with implementing his deal in law - through the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - in the knowledge that there is enough support in parliament for it.

  • Independent MPs

A number of MPs who no longer represent a particular party in the Commons could back Mr Johnson's agreement.

Boris Johnson's position on Brexit made clear to MPs: 'New deal or no-deal, but no delay'
Boris Johnson's position on Brexit made clear to MPs: 'New deal or no-deal, but no delay'

Former Tory MPs Nick Boles and Charlie Elphicke are likely to support his deal, while ex-Labour MPs Ian Austin, John Woodcock, Kelvin Hopkins and Frank Field could also vote in favour.

But… could Tory Brexiteers still scupper the PM's hopes?

The group of 28 so-called Tory Brexit "Spartans" are those Conservative Brexiteers who voted against Theresa May's deal three times.

Conservative MP Nick Boles says the party is in need of fresh ideas and the PM is stopping that.
Image: Former Tory MP Nick Boles is likely to support the deal

Many of them - including those who are now in Mr Johnson's government - will back the new Brexit deal.

However, it is far from guaranteed all 28 will turn out in support of the prime minister. Could that be enough to dash the PM's hopes of passing his deal?