Brexiters give PM three weeks to close Brexit deal and pledge their support

TORY Brexiteers yesterday gave Theresa May three more weeks to thrash out a deal with the EU in a shock Christmas truce.

Eurosceptics gifted her a “period of tranquillity” over the New Year as she announced a new date of the week beginning January 14 for the Commons vote on her Brexit deal.

It came as the PM dared Jeremy Corbyn to call a vote of confidence in her Government.

If she lost, it could trigger a general election — but defeat is unlikely thanks to backing from the vast majority of her MPs and the DUP.

Labour would then probably be forced to back a second referendum — which Mr Corbyn has so far refused to do.

Yesterday he instead tabled a motion of no confidence in the PM personally over her refusal to allow MPs a “meaningful vote” this week.

SDUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds told The Sun: “Now’s not the time to be playing parliamentary games.”

No10 indicated the Government would not make space for the motion.

It said there was no time for a debate on “party political games”.

During the Brexit debate, Tory opponent Edward Leigh said he could still vote for Mrs May’s deal if she secures a meaningful concession from the EU on the Irish backstop.

Tory arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said he had “confidence” in the PM, just days after trying to force her out.

Eurosceptic sources claimed the change in tone was a recognition of the PM’s survival of last week’s no-confidence vote from Tory MPs by 200 to 117.

They added that with every passing day they are nearer a clean EU break in a managed No Deal.

Mrs May said she could still win legal promises from the EU to make the backstop palatable.

She said: “Further clarification following the Council’s conclusions is possible.”

But the EU Commission said: “The deal on the table is the best and only deal possible.”