Three defeats in a day

The start of the five-day debate on the PM's deal was delayed by several hours after a motion was issued, finding the parliament in contempt due to failure to publish the full and complete legal advice on the Brexit deal. The move was backed by six opposition parties, with 311 votes to 293. The motion was a result of the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, only publishing a summary of the advice last Monday, although he did answer to three hours of MPs questions. This defeat was labelled as a "badge of shame" for the government, proving "it has lost the majority and the respect of the house", said the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer.

Cabinet ministers warn Theresa May of a forced resignation if she fails to secure better terms from the EU. The Commons defeating May's Brexit deal next week would prove fatal to her leadership career. As ministers continue to lack belief in May's deal and more

Brexiters announce their willingness to resign on Tuesday unless major changes are made to the deal, an alternative plan is introduced by Work and Pensions secretary Amber Rudd. Although Rudd has always been in support of May's Brexit plan, a softer Norway-style Brexit “seems plausible not just in terms of the country but in terms of where the MPs are", she said.

I would urge my colleagues to think about, first of all, why people voted to leave the European Union, what their interpretation is of that; and, secondly, what the alternatives are. If it doesn't get through, anything could happen... and none of them are as good as the current arrangement.

 After 18 months of negotiations, a vote is scheduled for December 11 on the long Withdrawal Agreement. While some ministers are demanding to know what May will be doing to salvage the vote, and others proclaim it a "democratic disaster", the loyal ministers are touring the country, putting pressure on backbenchers to start supporting the deal, as per May's orders. 

We have delivered a deal that honours the vote of the British people. I’ve been speaking to factory workers in Scotland, farmers in Wales and people right across the country, answering their questions about the deal and our future. Overwhelmingly, the message I’ve heard is that people want us to get on with it. And that’s why it’s important that ministers are out speaking with communities across the UK today about how the deal works for them.

The British once more stand in the crosshairs of this deal, patiently depending on the ministers to make the right choice once the legal advice is published. Meanwhile, May is expected to meet, convince and convert colleagues ahead of next Tuesday's vote.