Theresa May could get Brexit deal in days as she jets to Brussels for fresh talks with EU

Positive messages are coming from ministers as the PM returns for discussions with Jean Claude Juncker on how to fix the hated Northern Irish backstop later.

Critics said the backstop would tie us to the EU forever, and it's one of the main reasons the deal is in deadlock.

But the PM has been working on plans – either to rip it out completely and replace it with other arrangements, put a time limit on the backstop, or allow the UK to get out without the permission of the EU.

She told Cabinet yesterday she was dumping hi-tech plans to solve the Brexit deadlock amid hopes of an imminent breakthrough, as there wasn't time to get the plans in place.

The Malthouse Compromise was devised by Tory moderates such as Kit Malthouse and arch Brexiteer Steve Baker as a way of helping the PM get a deal through the Commons.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said this morning: "The message is really to everyone is that it is possible to find a way through this.
"There is a solution, we can get this deal through Parliament if we can have a deal where the Attorney General can change his advice on the backstop, that's going to be key to unlocking it."

Chancellor Philip Hammond said yesterday he hoped that legally binding changes "would deliver the core of a majority for a deal in the House of Commons".

But the hopes were dampened by EU boss Mr Juncker last night, who said: "There isn’t enough movement for me to be able to expect this to be a discussion with a concrete outcome.

"I don’t know what Mrs May will communicate to me tomorrow."

It is possible to find a way through this.

And Tory ERG Brexiteer Steve Baker warned on Newsnight: "We might get to a position where we can vote for the Withdrawal Agreement but it’s a very big journey from here to there."

Brexiteers want the backstop ripped out entirely and replaced with the Malthouse Compromise – and have warned that "wishy washy" fudge won't cut it for them.

However, the EU has repeatedly insisted it won't re-open the deal.

The PM has insisted she is still keeping their plans on the table.

If a deal is agreed between the EU and UK this week it could be rubber stamped with the rest of the EU as early as this weekend, where member states are meeting for a summit in Sharm El Sheikh.

Then it could come back for a vote by MPs next week.

The PM has promised to come back to the Commons next week for more Brexit votes – whether she has a deal or not.

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