House of Commons
Parliament

Tory Brexiter Richard Drax says it should not be for the Commons to decide the customs relationship with the EU after Brexit, arguing this was decided at the 2016 referendum.

In reply, Theresa May says this is a matter for Parliament because the final deal has to be ratified by MPs.

She says she's "been trying to leave the EU", but this will not happen unless MPs vote for her withdrawal agreement.

House of Commons
Parliament

There's some support for the PM from ex-minister Alistair Burt - ironically, he actually quit the government to vote against it over Brexit.

Nevertheless, Mr Burt says he will be voting in favour of the withdrawal bill next month.

He says a compromise deal to leave the EU is a better option than the "increasingly bitter pursuit" of a no-deal exit.

House of Commons
Parliament

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron says the PM "will fail in her bid in two weeks time", referring to the proposed second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

He asks her to support a confirmatory vote - another referendum - then he will support her.

Mrs May replies that if this House does not pass the bill, "then what this House is saying it does not want to leave the EU with a deal".

"This is the vehicle to do it (leave the EU with a deal)," she says.

The UK political correspondent for Reuters sums Mr Farron's intervention up...

House of Commons
Parliament

Liz Kendall says the PM "has come to the end of the road".

There is no support for the Brexit bill on her side of the house, the Labour MP says.

"Prime minister, please change your mind," she implores.

In reply, Mrs May says she has a different view and believes MPs should deliver on the 2016 referendum.

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Parliament

The DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds says the changes announced yesterday seek to "mitigate" what is a "bad deal", but the withdrawal agreement itself has not changed.

He says the EU is under no obligation to agree to replace the backstop plan for the Irish border with the "alternative arrangements" Mrs May has offered.

In reply, the PM says that in previous European Council statements, EU leaders have committed to "work with us" to ensure alternatives can replace the backstop plan.

Read more on the backstop and why it's so controversial.

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Parliament

Tory MP Nicky Morgan suggests that the upcoming Parliamentary recess is "not needed" and MPs need more time to reflect on her Brexit bill.

She says she will "probably" support the bill but the PM needs to consider the "really serious" consequences of it not being passed.

Ms Morgan says if the PM "really wants to heal divisions" she should not bring the bill in early June but allow more time for reflection.

Mrs May says if the House rejects the bill it is left with a stark choice, which includes revoking Article 50 - the process by which the UK leaves the EU - cancelling Brexit altogether.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Yvette Cooper asks whether the cabinet has ruled out a "long-term" customs union with the European Union.

She says manufacturers need a "long-term deal to support investment".

The PM replies that under the plan announced yesterday, it will be for the Commons to determine the direction of talks on future relations with the EU, but she did offer a "compromise" on customs.

A future government can take talks "in the direction that it wishes", she adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP and Brexit committee chairman Hilary Benn asks if the prime minister will personally throw her support behind a confirmatory referendum - having suggested that MPs who want one could make the case for it by passing her withdrawal bill.

Mrs May says she wants to honour the first referendum and this is "best done" through supporting her Brexit bill.

"There will be a vote on whether to hold a second referendum," she says, but claims the government's position is clear.

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford says the PM's Brexit plan faces an "even bigger defeat than last time", and it is time for her to go.

He says none of what was announced yesterday was discussed beforehand with the Scottish government, adding that Scotland's voice has been "ignored".

The prime minister replies that Scottish minsters have been party to "debates and discussions" on Brexit.

Image source, Reuters

BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says Downing Street plans to press on despite the hail of criticism - but there is a recognition of how difficult it will be to even get Theresa May's Brexit bill to a vote.

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Parliament

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith references Environment Secretary Michael Gove's interview on Radio 4 this morning, when he spoke about MPs "reflecting" on the bill.

"Is she certain she will bring the bill to the House?" he says, and asks her to name a date.

Mrs May insists the bill will be brought to House after next week's Whitsun recess.

House of Commons
Parliament

In reply to Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May says the government "has indeed compromised" following cross-party talks with Labour.

She says there are differences between MPs on customs and another referendum, which she calls the "two key issues".

The "best vehicle" for MPs to express themselves in this area is by voting on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, she says, and attempting to raise objections later when it is scrutinsed.

Any MP voting against the bill is "voting against Brexit", she adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

Mr Corbyn criticises Mrs May's "divided party".

"It's time for a general election to break the Brexit deadlock," he concludes.

House of Commons
Parliament

Jeremy Corbyn says "nobody here" will be fooled by what the prime minister is offering" on having a vote on another referendum.

He asks whether the prime minister will give Conservative MPs a free vote on the issue, rather than instructing them to vote against "as before".