A BREXIT alliance opened up last night as Jacob Rees-Mogg teamed up with Tory Remainers in a new plot to stop chaos of a No Deal Brexit. A new Plan C was revealed by a number of top Tories last night which could unite the party - and the DUP have got on board this morning. 4 A fresh plan to save Brexit has been revealed - led by top Tories including Jacob Rees Mogg Credit: London News Pictures The Prime Minister faces a series of crunch votes tonight in the Commons as MPs are set to show exactly what Brexit plan they can all agree on - after her stunning defeat. She's said she wants to go back to Brussels with a mandate from MPs to say that her deal can pass if legally binding changes are made to it. But the EU has said repeatedly they won't open it back up again, and can't change the hated Northern Ireland backstop plan. The last-minute plan would see Britain try and renegotiate a different sort of back-up plan for the Irish border, like the PM wants to do. If that wasn't possible then we would pay the £39billion as promised to the EU in exchange for a longer transition period to sort out a free trade deal, or go for a managed exit if one wasn't reached. The PM is now under huge pressure to get behind the plans, after they were embraced by all wings of the party. She said this afternoon that they were "serious proposals that we're engaging with sincerely and positively." Brexiteer Boris Johnson branded the plans as a "breakthrough" and he hoped the Government would get behind it. And ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker said: "We need to get out of the EU on time and with a functioning government. This is how." Ex-minister Nicky Morgan, a key Remainer ringleader in the plan, says talks had been going on for "some days" between both wings of the party, and co-ordinated by minister and former Boris ally Kit Malthouse, and she was keen to see a deal everyone can agree on. We are all prepared to compromise Nicky Morgan She told the BBC this morning: "People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on March 29. "We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that." Arlene Foster said this morning the party have endorsed the plan to "unify" the Remainers and Leavers in the debate. And she added: "If the Prime Minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the European Union, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on." Last night Theresa May urged her MPs to get behind another amendment - put forward by top Tory Sir Graham Brady. That would see the hated Irish backstop replaced by "alternative arrangements" - but it doesn't say what those would be. If passed, it would give her the mandate to return to Brussels and ask for more, proving her deal isn't dead. “The Malthouse Compromise” after @kitmalthouse, who brought us together We need to get out of the EU on time and with a functioning government. This is how. #Brexit https://t.co/mB9vmdkX90 — Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) January 28, 2019 4 Nicky Morgan was instrumental in the so-called Plan C Credit: Rex Features Guide to the key Brexit amendments A TOTAL of 15 different amendments have been tabled to today’s Brexit motion. Up to half a dozen will be pushed to a vote - but most aren't legally binding, and two of the amendments are seen as key. COOPER AMENDMENT - RULE OUT NO DEAL Labour's Yvette Cooper has teamed up with Tory ex-minister Nick Boles to try and take No Deal off the table. The cross-party amendment would force the Government to introduce a bill giving unprecedented powers to MPs. The House of Commons would be able to vote to delay Brexit by up to nine months if Britain is heading towards a No Deal outcome. The bill states that if there is no deal in place by February 26, MPs could then instruct the Government to seek an extension of Article, 50, the legal mechanism taking us out of the EU. Jeremy Corbyn is expected to back the amendment tomorrow - giving it a good chance of success. BRADY AMENDMENT - DROP THE BACKSTOP Sir Graham Brady is one of a group of senior Brexiteers who've tabled an amendment to kill off the Irish backstop. The amendment states that the Commons is prepared to back Theresa May's deal, but only on condition the backstop is " replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border". Although it wouldn't be binding, Sir Graham says that if it passes it would allow the PM to return to Brussels and secure changes to the withdrawal agreement. The Government is supporting the amendment and will tell Tory MPs they must vote for it. But it's up to Speaker John Bercow to pick which amendments are voted on - so he could scupper Mrs May's hopes by refusing to select the Brady one. She dramatically clashed with Boris in a meeting of MPs last night - telling him we "won't know" what is likely to get agreement "unless you support us Boris". Meanwhile, Mr Rees-Mogg performed a stunning u-turn, saying he COULD back the PM's deal if more details are revealed. He'd previously poured cold water on siding with Sir Graham's amendment, saying it wasn't good enough for him. But this morning he said: "Let's see what the Prime Minister says today. If the Brady amendment is a Government amendment, effectively, that means that the Withdrawal Agreement will be re-opened that's very different to a worthy backbench motion." 4 Theresa May is still battling to save her deal Credit: PA:Press Association Crunch Brexit vote explained What happens in tonight’s vote? The vote in Parliament this evening is a result of the defeat of Theresa May's deal earlier this month. The law states that after the deal's defeat, the PM must make a statement in the Commons announcing her plans - which she did last Monday, saying she would press on with her current deal. The Government must then table a so-called "neutral" motion to be voted on - stating simply that the House of Commons "has considered the statement" made by the PM. Why does the vote matter? Whether or not MPs vote in favour of the motion tabled by Mrs May is literally meaningless. But crucially, the motion can be amended - giving the Commons the right to pass any resolution it wants and dictate to the Government what it should do next. What are the amendments? There are two main amendments - one from Labour's Yvette Cooper which rules out a No Deal Brexit, and another from top Tory Graham Brady which kills off the Irish backstop. But another 13 amendments have also been tabled from across the political spectrum. Commons Speaker John Bercow will this morning select roughly half a dozen which will go to a vote from around 7pm - after six hours of debate opened by Mrs May. Most of the amendments aren't legally binding but would provide a clear political message to the Government. But the Cooper amendment is legally binding - making it more worrying to ministers than the others. So what next? Tonight’s vote is not a rerun of the first "meaningful vote" on whether or not to approve the Brexit deal. That is likely to come some time in February - whatever happens this evening. MOST READ IN BREXIT CUMMINGS AND GOINGS Did Dominic Cummings break lockdown rules and why did he resign? BITTER BREX France threatens 'reprisals' against Britain in bitter Brexit fishing row Latest BREXMAS GIFT Boris hails 'glad tidings of great joy' in Xmas message after Brexit deal EUR OUT! Adviser booted 'because she couldn't be trusted' over links to Team Hammond 4 Boris hailed the Plan C as a 'breakthrough' Credit: London News Pictures<doc-sep>Hammond: UK will be better off under EVERY Brexit scenario top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Diplomats are attempting to keep Tory MPs grounded after reports of a Brexiteer and Remainer collaboration working together to secure support for the Prime Minister’s withdrawal deal emerged in Parliament. The so-called “Malthouse Compromise" is being worked on by Jacob Rees-Mogg, chairman of the European Research Group of eurosceptic Tory MPs, Steve Baker, another Brexiteer, and Nicky Morgan, a pro-EU former Cabinet minister. The group, which also involves Government ministers Kit Malthouse and Stephen Hammond, have been secretly working to formulate a response if Mrs May is unable to to secure a parliamentary majority for her Brexit deal. The Conservative MPs involved are supporting the two-year transition period to be extended by a further 12 months to allow extra time to strike a trade deal, which prevents a hard border on Ireland, between the UK and EU. They have also urged the Prime Minister to go back to Brussels to renegotiate the Irish backstop insurance mechanism and replace it with a “safety net” that allows tariff-free access for both Britain and the EU. But senior EU officials are entirely sceptical that the new offer is genuinely workable because of the need for renegotiation on the backstop, which the Irish government are firmly against. There is also a legal concern about extending the transition period any further because it was designed as a “bridge” to a future relationship and should not be open-ended, according to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator. Brexit news: Brussels refuses to back Conservative compromise to save deal One senior diplomat said: “The only way to deal with Brexit from the European perspective is to deal with it from a common standpoint. “We've agreed on that and we stick to that rule it would be impossible to negotiate and deal with things from 27 different perspectives. “That's the rule we've been following.” Brussels insiders have dismissed the "Malthouse Compromise" as “no plan at all” and “bonkers” and warns it lacks legitimacy by requesting a lengthened transition period for half of the money. One source said: "This is simply ditching the backstop in exchange for an extra year of transition period." A second added: “It illustrates that many MPs simply do not understand where we are. “To put it crudely the financial settlement, budget payments for 2019 and 2020, in the withdrawal agreement are for the 21 month transition. This amendment wants a longer three year transition for half the money and then tells the EU ‘see you court for the rest’. It’s bonkers.” EU officials will also refuse any advance by Mrs May to reopen the withdrawal agreement, warning the Prime Minister the document remains entirely out of reach after it was agreed between the UK Government and EU27 in November. Mrs May reportedly told her Cabinet of her plans before a series of Brexit-shaping votes in the House of Commons tonight. The Prime Minister is hoping to seek legally binding changes to the Irish backstop. She is also expecting to have phone calls with key EU leaders throughout the day and ahead of the vote. Brexit: Tim Martin says MPs are having 'nervous breakdown'<doc-sep>Asked whether the Withdrawal Agreement would have to be rewritten or whether he would be happy with a legal codicil attached to the end, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "The text is the authoritative text and Article Four says it is superior law. So any amendment would have to be subject to the qualifications of Article Four and be superior law.<doc-sep>
Brexit: Tim Martin says MPs are having 'nervous breakdown' The plan, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg’s European Research Group, was given the backing by the DUP after Theresa May’s political allies met this morning to discuss the alternative to the Withdrawal Agreement. Should Tories also unite to support the plan, the DUP’s backing means it could also pass through Parliament if given the chance. Also dubbed the “Malthouse Compromise”, the plan would see Theresa May re-opening negotiations with the EU on the Irish backstop, and extend the transition period. Remainers including Stephen Hammond, Robert Buckland and Nicky Morgan met with Brexiteers including Mr Rees-Mogg and ERG deputy leader Steve Baker last night to reach the compromise. DUP leader Arlene Foster said: “The DUP has given its endorsement to the plan. “We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate, including the views of Remainers and Leavers. “It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union, which would split the UK or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market. “Importantly, this proposal would also offer a route towards negotiating a future trade relationship between the UK and the EU.” READ MORE: BREXIT LIVE: Brussels savages ‘EXTRAORDINARILY TRAGIC’ new Brexit plan - ‘ZERO CHANCE!’ Jacob Rees-Mogg teamed up with Remainers to thrash out a 'Plan C' Ms Foster also urged Mrs May to back the Plan C, arguing this is the perfect time to put on the negotiating table in Brussels a working alternative to what has already been approved in November. She added: “If the Prime Minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the EU, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on. “There is no better time to advance this alternative given the confusion and disarray which is now manifesting itself in Brussels. “This has been displayed both by the contradictory EU statements and the panic-stricken behaviour of the Irish Government.” DUP's Nigel Dodds and Arlene Foster Remainers including Stephen Hammond, Robert Buckland and Nicky Morgan met with Brexiteers The Malthouse Compromise would see Mrs May going back to Brussels to renegotiate the Irish backstop, claiming a hard border and checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland can be avoided by relying on technology. If the EU opposed to it, the UK would then ask to grant a transition period lasting until December 2021 in return for the payment of the £39bn divorce bill and the protection of EU citizen’s rights. The transition period would give enough time to both sides to prepare for the UK leaving without a deal or to even strike a trade deal in the meantime. Jacob Rees-Mogg is the chair of the European Research Group