Dozens of normally loyal Conservative MPs could rebel against the government in a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit, Downing Street has been warned. Leaders of the Brexit Delivery Group of both Leavers and Remainers say MPs may back alternatives if Mrs Theresa May's reworked deal cannot command a Commons majority.
Three pro-EU lawmakers from Britain's ruling Conservatives quit over the “disastrous handling of Brexit” on Wednesday, in a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May's attempts to unite her party around plans to leave the European Union.
Theresa May will return to Brussels on Wednesday to continue talks on her Brexit deal. She will meet the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. Earlier, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay updated Cabinet on talks with the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.
Japanese car giant Honda is expected to announce the shutdown of its plant in south west England in 2022, putting 3,500 jobs at risk, media reports said on Monday. The car manufacturer is to announce the closure of its Swindon plant on Tuesday, according to Sky News, but still keep its European headquarters in nearby Bracknell.
Theresa May has written to all 317 Tory MPs, urging them to unite behind a Brexit deal while warning them history will judge us all over the process. Efforts will resume this Monday to persuade the EU to agree changes to the backstop plan to prevent the return of customs checks on the Irish border.
Brexit has cost the British economy at least £80 billion since the referendum and the shock of a no-deal divorce could see interest rates slashed, according to a Bank of England policymaker. Gertjan Vlieghe, an external member of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, said that, since the June 2016 vote, 2% has been shaved off GDP.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is sticking to her Brexit strategy, despite her party rowing in the wake of her latest Commons defeat. MPs rejected a motion endorsing her approach by 303 to 258, with 66 Tory MPs abstaining, leading one minister to accuse Brexiteer rebels of treachery.
Ford has said a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for the firm's manufacturing operations in the UK and that it would do whatever is necessary to protect its business. The comments come after a report the carmaker was stepping up preparations to move production out of the UK.
The UK and Switzerland have signed a deal to continue trading after Brexit as they did before it. The continuity agreement - based on the EU's existing free trade deal with Switzerland - was agreed in December but ratified on Monday.
The UK food industry has threatened to stop co-operating with government policy consultations, saying it is busy trying to stave off the catastrophic impact of a no-deal Brexit. The warning came in a letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove from more than 30 business leaders.