colleagues are worried about is the fa ct colleagues are worried about is the fact that britain could be legally locked into a backstop against its will. they could extend the implementation period to avoid getting into the backstop on the fa ct a getting into the backstop on the fact a lot of eu countries themselves have said they will never wa nt to themselves have said they will never want to get the backstop because it doesn't fit with what they see as a proper exit from the european union for britain, so the question would be, are there other ways in which my collea g u es be, are there other ways in which my colleagues forget those reassurances and that is what the prime minister will be taking to the eu 27 in an open and transparent way. that leads me to the question in a different way, do you think there is a form of words or indeed changes to what has already been agreed that is possible and that would be enough to bring people on board 7 and that would be enough to bring people on board? because until now, as you know, there are dozens of your colleagues who simply aren't prepared to back this even with the assurances that the prime minister has offered them. both sides will have to face up to the alternatives

to finding such an agreement. the first will be in the united kingdom, that we didn't leave the european union at all. i know there's a majority of remainers in the house of commons who like that but we have a responsibility to honour the result of the referendum. when we had that referendum, we didn't ask for a consultation, we asked for an instruction and it would be unthinkable for parliament to defy the will of the electorate in that way so i think that the democratically unacceptable consequence. the other would be to leave the european union with no agreement at all which would cause disruption, no doubt about that, both in the united kingdom and with oui’ both in the united kingdom and with our trading partners in continental europe and that is not to anyone's advantage so i think it is very clear that we both want to see the same thing in terms of northern ireland, no hard border, can we find another way in which it allows my collea g u es another way in which it allows my colleagues and people like myself who have had doubts about the backstop who have had doubts about the ba cksto p to who have had doubts about the backstop to be reassured? again on

that point, the taoiseach today has been clear in saying, the withdrawal agreement has been settled, it cannot be reopened and if it were to be reopened, everything would be reopened, the 27 other member states would have a view on it and all the things agreed already beyond the backstop would also be up for consideration and that surely is something that you couldn't countenance. it's about giving the assurances of the backstop in another way, the ways in which we can give the irish government and the european union that assurance that we would not return to a hard border which is also what the people of northern ireland want to see. collea g u es of northern ireland want to see. colleagues of years and say the prime minister's authority today is shot to pieces, what would you say to them? i think it would have been more damaged if the prime minister had knowingly gone into a vote in the house of commons that the government was going to lose. i think what the prime minister has

done is to accept the reality of the position in which we find ourselves. there is no majority in the house of commons for any of the other options, not for another referendum, not for the eea. we have to understand the reality of where we are andi understand the reality of where we are and i think politicians have to face up to the realities of the situation and understand we have to ta ke situation and understand we have to take decisions because if we don't getan take decisions because if we don't get an agreement with our withdrawal provision in it, then we are either going to be true the voters and not have brexit or are we going to have brexit was no deal. when you have a change of course which is a pretty dramatic one like today, and this is not something that happens every day at westminster, if you were sitting on the opposition benches today, you would be making hay and you would be accusing the government of being a com plete accusing the government of being a complete shambles. what would you say to those critics? we heard from john mcdonnell during the economic debate last thursday about labour's

client which is some great customs union with a bit of a single market saw in and what that would mean is that britain would still had to accept free movement and make contributions to the eu and we wouldn't have the ability. it is not workable or legal under the european treaties because far from workable or legal under the european treaties because farfrom being workable or legal under the european treaties because far from being an alternative government, they are utterly clueless when it comes to alternatives. the withdrawal agreement if we are able to deal with the anxieties of the backstop is the only one looks like he could command a majority in the house of commons and that majority, we have two options, either we betray voters over brexit which is unthinkable democratically oi’ which is unthinkable democratically or we leave the european union must

now deal, people have to accept that is the reality that confronts us and they will have to make a decision on and vote comes back to the house of commons. in an hour and half's time, nick robinson will be talking to politicians and expert from all sides and asking "brexit — what's next?" let's go back to the house of commons. andrea leadsom, the leader of the house, is still taking questions from mps, some of whom are angry that they will be no meaningful vote on theresa may's brexit steel. the speaker suggested it after i debate involving 164 mps over several days to not have that vote might be seen as discourteous —— after a debate. the prime minister now says she will go back to brussels and seek further reassu ra nces to brussels and seek further reassurances from the eu concerning the irish backstop. the brexit

strategy will also be speaking in a few minutes' time. time for the weather news with nick miller. if you need more information on the situation in the house of commons, please go to our sister channel bbc parliament. something much quieter to come through much of the week ahead. it was nice on the course of north yorkshire this afternoon and the day ended with some sunny spells whereas in the west this front has been moving in and it has been week but has been producing cloud. patchy rain in northern ireland and scotland, draped across western part overnight. under this, we could see rain or drizzle and hill fog.

northern and eastern areas of scotla nd northern and eastern areas of scotland and england can see clear spells and you can see the blue here indicating this is where we will see the lowest temperatures overnight, perhaps a couple of degrees below freezing. elsewhere, temperatures are several degrees above freezing. into tomorrow, parts of northern scotla nd into tomorrow, parts of northern scotland and northern ireland and used in most areas of england see some sunny spells. maybe if few brighter movements towards wales in the southwest. the weather front could still be producing light rain and drizzle a then there. it is quite chilly the further east you are but temperatures in double figures for some others the west and another weather front coming in from the west to end the day with breaks of rain was northern ireland and wales —— towards. we will keep the

weather system for the remainder of the week on wednesday. to the west of northern ireland, maybe some sunshine, parts of scotland and eastern england with brighter spells and temperatures are starting to come down. a colder fiona southeasterly wind —— a colder feel. there will be a lot of dry weather around. maybe not a huge amount of sunshine but it will brighten up a bit for some of us. the main thing on thursday and friday, temperatures in single figures in places. it looks as if the atlantic will take over again on saturday with the rain and maybe snow on the leading edge, pushing north and windy again, too. and brexit is just 109 days away and there is still no sign of any agreement in westminster. the prime minister now heads back to brussels to ask for more concessions after being forced

to postpone a vote on her brexit bill. at a lengthy debate in parliament there was precious little support for the embattled prime minister and quite a lot of questions about going back to the public for another vote. in if you want another friend to their result of this first, be honest that this risks dividing the country again. the government now faces a fight about its decision not to hold a vote to cancel the vote — we've warned you before this is complicated. one labour mp called it "a farago of chaos."