TRIBES OF WESTMINSTER
The Brexit deal agreed by EU leaders yesterday now faces the daunting task of approval in the British parliament, where it faces stiff opposition from all sides. Here are the main camps in the fractious 650-seat House of Commons, where a crucial vote is expected next month:
AGAINST DEAL:
EUROPEAN RESEARCH GROUP: An alliance of hardline pro-Brexit Conservatives vociferously opposed to the deal. Comprising 60 to 85 Tory lawmakers, the group favours a Canada-style free trade agreement or leaving with no deal.
THE LABOUR PARTY: Most of Labour's 257 lawmakers are fervently pro-EU and will, along with party leaders, oppose May's deal. Their plan is to try and trigger a general election or, if not, push for a second referendum.
THE SNP: The Scottish National Party's 35 MPs -- the biggest block after the ruling Conservatives and opposition Labour -- are firmly pro-EU and oppose May's agreement. The party has vowed to hold another independence vote without a fovourable outcome.
THE DUP: Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose 10 MPs give May a slim majority in parliament, are ardent Brexit backers -- and against her plan.
CONSERVATIVE ARCH-REMAINERS: Some Conservative MPs remain opposed to Brexit and unconvinced by May's plan. An even smaller number, perhaps a dozen, want a second poll.
FOR DEAL
MAY LOYALISTS: The bulk of the Conservatives' 315 MPs are likely to back the prime minister's plan. They are a mix of political pragmatists, pro-Brexit moderates and unconvinced Remainers scared of crashing out of the EU next March with no deal.
LONE WOLVES: The opposition Liberal Democrats are among the most pro-EU parties, but one or two of their 12 MPs, could also support May to avoid the risk of no-deal. they will.
ON THE FENCE
LABOUR LEAVERS: A small band of opposition Labour lawmakers have wholeheartedly backed Brexit, in contrast to the party leadership's more ambiguous stance. They could support May's plan in parliament next month, but could also prefer leaving without a deal.
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