Jacob Rees-Mogg has said an “awkward reality” needs to be faced after suggesting he will now back Theresa May’s deal in parliament.
The prominent Brexiteer, who has been critical about the deal throughout, admitted that “the choice seems to be Mrs May’s deal or no Brexit”, adding: “No Deal is better than Mrs May’s deal, but Mrs May’s deal is better than not leaving at all.”
The U-turn comes after talks at the Prime Minister’s country house which saw several Conservatives convene to make headway on the Brexit gridlock.
Along with Rees-Mogg former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he also “sees the point of view” of those moving to support Theresa May’s plan.
Speaking at a Telegraph event he suggested he could give the deal his backing if a third “meaningful vote” on the withdrawal agreement returns to parliament this week.
Gosh. Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to VOTE AGAIN because … wait for it … he has changed his mind about the best way forward. But it's only 650 politicians who are allowed to change their minds. Not 65 million other British people. #GrandWizard #RevokeArticle50 https://t.co/RS53q3Qnft
— Gavin Esler (@gavinesler) March 26, 2019
Earlier this month May issued a last-ditch plea to MPs to back her deal, warning that a failure to vote it through could mean “we will not leave the EU for many months, if ever”.
She said a third rejection of her blueprint would mean would leave the UK in a “Hotel California Brexit” where “you can check out, but you can never leave”.