let us return to simon. a difficult day for the pm and it won't get easier because she will address members of her own party of the 1922 committee, that is happening at 5.00. let us talk to oui’ happening at 5.00. let us talk to our assistant political editor norman smith inside parliament. what must she say to get through tonight? well, she will have that opportunity to make a last minute appeal before tory mps go and vote, and her supporters say a majority ofjust one is enough for her. i think that is very questionable, she will want a solid majority, and i think privately, her supporters are confident of getting that, we heard from the health secretary a last minute appeal before tory mps go and vote, and her supporters say a majority of just one vote, and her supporters say a majority ofjust one is enough for her. i think that is very questionable, she will want a solid majority, and i think privately, her supporters are confident of getting that, we heard from the health secretary this morning who predicted

"a strong majority for mrs may" if she wants to secure that, then this could yet rebound to her advantage, it would enable her to cement her grip on this fractious divided party, it would bolt and lock her in position for another year because you cannot launch another vote of confidence for another 12 months, but above all, it could vanquish the brexiteers and significantly enhance her chances of getting her controversial brexit deal through parliament, but you know, this vote will hinge not only the brexiteers 01’ on will hinge not only the brexiteers or on the party loyalists, it will hinge on those quiet middle ground tories we don't thank you, norman smith. there will be full coverage on the bbc news channel and on the newsletter.

thank you. temper the weather. looks like we will end with cold air over the near continent following this from the atlantic. it looks like the colder air will then went out for a time before things get interesting into the weekend. more on that in a moment. this is the low pressure area in the atlantic with mild, wet and windy conditions, pressure over scandinavia with settled colder conditions. a fine day i think across much of the east of the country, best of the sunshine here. one or two showers further west. a fairly wea k one or two showers further west. a fairly weak front and these are the best of the temperatures, ten or 11, then a bit cooler further east. temperatures in single figures. quite stronger in the north—west corner of the country. into this evening and overnight, largely dry for most of us, a few showers in the east of the country which could be wintry in the north of scotland and

we will continue to see thicker cloud across the west with no pressure there. for most, a dry night, variable cloud, clear spells and where you get those likely to be and where you get those likely to be a touch of frost. this is the pattern into thursday, high remaining firmly in control, over scandinavia. this low—pressure area continued to push against that and that will increase the wind speed from the south—east or the east and there will be a lot of cold over the near continent, so much colder day tomorrow especially factoring in the small wind. again because high—pressure is largely dominating it should be largely dry and a better chance of sunshine around than today. a few showers across the east of the country again, to be wintry over high ground. you notice the wind speeds are quite strong, so temperatures of only 5—7 degrees, and the wind chill will make it feel more like freezing, maybe 1 degrees in some areas. you will need to wrap up in some areas. you will need to wrap up is heading out. across the west, you will notice that rain continuing in northern ireland. similar at the end of the week, friday another chilly day with some dry weather,

some shape, and again a fairly cold wind. interesting into saturday as the low—pressure eventually winds out and we will see wet and windy weather across the country with a speu weather across the country with a spell of snow, mainly to the hills but we could see some wet snow or sleet at lower levels as well for a time before it turns milder. windy, very wet for many, particularly in wales, small for some, very wet for many, particularly in wales, small forsome, particularly in the pennines and across the hills of scotland. stay tuned to the weather forecast as there is likely to be some disruption. ok, stav, thanks for that. time for all the news where you are. have a very good afternoon. you're watching bbc news. we'll be back at westminster very shortly so stay with us, for the latest on theresa may's confidence vote, but first let's

catch up on the day's sport news, withjohn watson. good afternoon. both liverpool and tottenham made it into monday's draw for the last 16 of the champions league. mo salah with the goal to send last year's finalists through and secure second place in their group, although a late alisson save kept them in the tie. jo lynskey has more. jubilation in the champions league comes with the test of the heart race, but liverpool and spurs have both found a way to keep their european beats going. it would always feel daunting for tottenham in the nou camp, even with lionel messi left on barcelona's best. when this team rest their greatest, though, new superstars just step forward. this is 21—year—old ousmane dembele running rings round spurs‘ optimism. a goal that punctured their plan, but not spurs‘ belief. soon the urgency to convert those chances increased, with news from italy. the north london mission was to match or better the result of inter milan, so when they equalised against psv, spurs now had to score.

it was an extra level of tension that would, finally, bring out their clinical streak. commentator: and there is the goal they were looking for! tottenham hotspurs, lucas moura... finish from lucas moura that sends spurs through to the knockouts. after three champions league games they had just a single point. this was a night and a campaign where they turned it around. the anfield patchwork new liverpool's hopes were on a thread. they had to beat napoli 1—0 or by two clear goals. luckily, mo salah makes everything look simple. he didn't need anybody else! he never does on a night like this... their route to the knockouts came through the legs of david ospina, but liverpool's own keeper made an equally important intervention — with this point—blank save, alisson stopped last—minute heartbreak. this was not the vintage we liverpool usually do european nights, but one at least some supporters won't forget. joe lynskey, bbc news. as we've been hearing,

sky are ending their sponsorship of team cycling, bringing to a close an association spanning more than a decade. the team will attempt to find a new principle sponsor, having enjoyed huge success winning six of the last seven tour de france titles. team principal sir dave brailsford said in a statement... ..that they are open minded about the future and the potential of working with a new partner. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. for now and andy gbytejoanna in westminster. thank you, john. —— for 110w westminster. thank you, john. —— for now i will hand you back tojoanna in westminster. welcome back to a bbc news special — westminster on another dramatic day in parliament. in around five hours‘ time theresa may will face a vote of no confidence in her leadership. theresa may will face a vote the ballot was triggered this morning when the threshold of 48 letters calling

for a vote was reached. mrs may has warned that brexit will be delayed or even stopped if conservative mps fail to back her. so what can we expect later? well, she will address the 1922 committee at five o'clock, in what will be her last chance to convince any undecided conservative mps to back her as leader. i will tell you the figures in a moment on how many have publicly said they will support her. shortly after she finishes speaking, the ballot will be held — that's at some point between 6pm and 8pm — with the result announced soon afterwards. in order to win, mrs may needs to secure 158 votes — that's half of her mps, plus one. if that happens she will be immune from a further challenge for a year. but if she loses, there will be a leadership contest and she will be barred from standing. well, senior members of the cabinet have been quick to throw their support behind the prime minister. the foreign secretaryjeremy hunt said she is the "best person to make sure we actually leave the eu on march the 29th". the international trade secretary liam fox has said

it is the wrong time for a leadership contest, saying the country expects stability and not damaging division. the prominent brexiteer jacob rees—mogg, who was one of the first to submit a letter of no—confidence in the prime minister, said, "the country needs a new leader" and that "it's time for mrs may to resign." the former prime minister david cameron has tweeted, urging conservative mps to back mrs may in the vote. the latest is 124 mps said publicly they will be supporting theresa may later. as has been said throughout the day, isn't it after it is a secret ballot so whether they actually deliver in putting her name down remains to be seen. it is worth also saying that the prime minister's aides are telling journalists theresa may says the vote today is not about who reads this party into the next election but it is about whether to change the prime minister now. that is

speculation around what she might say when she speaks to tory mps at five o'clock, whether she will say she does not intend to stay as leader even if she wins the vote tonight, for the duration. let's talk about what might go on with the snp spokesperson we have here, joanna cherry. a lot has changed and keeps changing. in terms of where we go from here, if theresa may does not remain as leader of the party she says that is taking us closer to a she says that is taking us closer to 3110 she says that is taking us closer to a no deal brexit or potentially no brexit at all. how do you see an? go i think it is really important people focus on the issue, the internal infighting and chaos in the tory party —— i think it is an important. but on what will happen with brexit. we were supposed to have a vote on what the prime minister told us was the best deal she could deliver on tuesday evening, and she called that because she knew she couldn't win it, and she knew she couldn't win it, and she needs to bring that vote back to the floor of the house next week

before christmas to get some certainty on whether it can be passed or not. it cannot be passed. exactly, so we need to look at the other options and she herself is acknowledging they are notjust no deal, but there is an option to revoke article 50 altogether. i would like to see article 50 extended in order to put in place and government who can hold the people's vote between theresa may's deal and the option to stay, and that justice case i deal and the option to stay, and thatjustice case i was involved in earlier this week established it was possible for us to stay in the us on the same terms and conditions. i think it is vital today we don't get overly focused on the tory infighting and instead mps should be thinking about their constituents and thejobs thinking about their constituents and the jobs and living standards for people across these islands, which will be affected by theresa may's deal. that is not my word for it but the government ‘s my own analysis shows the economy will take analysis shows the economy will take a big hit as a result of her deal and it will be even worse in the result of no deal. people now know that the choice is notjust deal or

no deal, that we have the option to remain on the conditions we currently enjoy. i know the majority of people across the uk voted to leave. people in scotland, where i represent, and northern ireland, didn't, but they voted to leave two and a half years ago, on the back of promises which have subsequently proved to be undeliverable and i believe people deserve a second vote on the facts this time. i think that it goes to the country in a referendum... it could result in people saying we know it— what you are saying and we want a no deal brexit precedent the polls shall clearly scotland and northern ireland have remained solidly remain, scotland going up from 62% to 70%, and interestingly polls from a number of organisations in to suggest a preference for staying and in england and wales. of course we haven't had a campaign yet and we need one on the facts. what i would see it as an snp spokesperson, if there is a second referendum and if

england votes to leave and scotland votes remain again, scotland must be allowed the opportunity to exercise the mandate the scottish parliament has for a second independence referendum, and to let scotland choose whether they want to go with brexit britain or be an independent member state in the eu with the sort of equality and status that ireland has... in terms of where we are now politically, the snp has been saying it would like to see actually a challenge to the government, and thatis challenge to the government, and that is the case. magda linette we we re that is the case. magda linette we were talking cross—party on this and i think it is vital to understand cross— party i think it is vital to understand cross—party working —— i think it is vital to understand cross-party working -- yes, we were talking cross—party. cross—party is necessary here. some would argue we have to see how this develops as the day goes on, but it is clear parliament does not have confidence in this prime minister. is it dead, she wouldn't have pulled her vote. it is clear her own party don't have confidence in her —— is it did she wouldn't have pulled the vote. it is important not to make this just about the infighting in the tory party. david cameron's referendum

and their infighting is what has brought us to where we are now and mps from all parties need to work in the interest of these islands to protect jobs and the interest of these islands to protectjobs and local the interest of these islands to protect jobs and local standards the interest of these islands to protectjobs and local standards and bring us back from the brink. thank you. let's speak to our assistant political editor norman smith who is in westminsterfor us. are you in downing street? oh, no, there you are. 174 tory mps publicly saying at least they will support the prime minister. will she be taking much heart from that?” the prime minister. will she be taking much heart from that? i think she would be wise to be courses. let's be honest, it is a secret ballot and whatever tory mps me say in public they can do something very differently in private, all of which being said, i think those around her are confident she is going to win tonight's vote, but by how much? 13 see one is enough. i suspect —— team say that one—vote is enough. i suspect they will be hoping for more. let's mull that over. we have

the dup's sammy wilson and... sorry, apologies. how far does theresa may need to win, and win big? by a big commanding victory? she only needs to win by one vote and i think a lot of the people talking about her winning by a commanding victory or people trying to raise expectations to see a change in leadership. that is not something i want and i believe a win is a win even if it is small and given the polarisation we are seeing at the moment it is very ha rd to are seeing at the moment it is very hard to be asking for commanding majorities when we know how difficult the issuers. but doesn't the danger if she doesn't win by a big majority this ongoing civil war in the tory party will continue to fester? i disagree. the ongoing civil war as you describe it, it will be resolved once we get a deal thatas campbell tannane get through.

it isa thatas campbell tannane get through. it is a criticaljuncture. —— that the house can get through. sammy wilson, given all your party has said about a deal... no matter how you try to engage me we have made it clear we are not members of the conservative party, we would not be arrogant enough to suggest who should be the leader of the conservative party, but what we do and have said if there is a certain policy we expect the conservative party to follow regardless of who the leader is, and if that policy is not being followed they will not have our support. there was a promise made to us by this current prime minister she would deliver on her own manifesto, to the people of the united kingdom as a whole, and a promise to the people of northern ireland in particular, not to break up ireland in particular, not to break up the union. clearly this deal does not do that, so even if she gets through tonight's vote, she then has to bring this back to the house of commons and it is quite clear the reason why we haven't had the vote, she knows there is no majority for it in the house of commons, so that is the most important hurdle. let me

put it to you. she is inextricably tied up with this deal, therefore if she remains leader the basic shape of the deal will remain as is. a deal which you are implacably opposed to. and which parliament is implacably opposed to. she could be a leader unable to deliver her policy. if she becomes a leader able to deliver her policy then she will not be delivering it with our support. and you will end your agreement with the tory party, you will vote against it in a vote of confidence if she secures backing for this deal. i don't think anyone in the uk would expect us to connive in our removal from the uk. no other pa rt of in our removal from the uk. no other part of it would tolerate their territory having to regard the rest of the uk as a third country, to have trade disrupted between their pa rt of have trade disrupted between their part of the uk and the rest of the uk, especially when they were so dependent upon that for the market, and to be excluded from future uk trade deals. so is this deal goes

through on the prime minister continues to try and deliver it, she will not be delivering it with our support. i'm not quite sure how labour of you this. do you want theresa may to stay, to go, do you just not care, or what?|j theresa may to stay, to go, do you just not care, or what? i think it is time for the government to go. we have made that very clear. the reason is this. we started this week with yet another brexit monday, the prime minister and her ministers going out, over the weekend, then that was suddenly changed on monday, resulted in disarray in parliament and the disenfranchisement of parliament having a vote on the deal. this isjust the parliament having a vote on the deal. this is just the latest in a long line of failures by theresa may, last year losing her majority, now losing the confidence in many ways of parliament, losing control over the brexit process and now control over her party. i think what will be really important now if we keep a focus on what this is all about, which is the future of our

country. it is absolutely vital theresa may comes back next week to parliament, that we see a conclusion of the debate, and we see a vote. if her deal is voted down it is for parliament to then see what should happen next and we should start that process as quickly as possible because time is running out. let me put it here. unlike sammy wilson, you should actually want her to stay in position, because if she doesn't there is a danger of success are simply will not have the time to negotiate a new deal and use little morsels flee towards no deal, exactly what you don't want? well, would like theresa may to go —— and you would fall towards no deal. i would like to go and this government to go because they are not at all functional. we need a government negotiating properly in the interests of the country, and with the country. this is a consequence of theresa may's choices over the past to my ears. she had a negotiation for to my ears were part of her party, not even her whole party, let alone parliament or the

country, and jobs, the economy, so much more is at stake, and if this means extending article 51 think thatis means extending article 51 think that is inevitably what we will reach. you heard sammy wilson again stressing his complete opposition to the deal as currently constructed. evenif the deal as currently constructed. even if mrs may wins tonight, isn't this just crisis delayed until the meaningful vote in the new year, where the parliamentary arithmetic still looks impossible for mrs may, opening up the potential of a shattering defeat on the core part of her brexit policy? well, the point about the parliamentary arithmetic is inescapable. whether talking about leadership elections, agreements and so on, and that will be very difficult to keep many people onside, which ever way, whether people's vote, no deal, this deal, etc. i whether people's vote, no deal, this deal, etc. lam whether people's vote, no deal, this deal, etc. i am very sad sammy feels he can't support us through this but everyone has to act in good conscience. at the moment the issue is around the backstop and that is what she is trying to seek

reassurances on and we just have to give her something to do that, otherwise we willjust repeat this cycle with whoever is leader, whichever party is in government. just listening to seema it is quite clear they don't have the answer. it is very easy to speak in platitudes, but this is a very difficult problem the parliament is trying to solve the parliament is trying to solve the heart of the country and i think the heart of the country and i think the prime minister is doing her very best. briefly, all of you, do you expect theresa may to survive tonight, sammy wilson?” expect theresa may to survive tonight, sammy wilson? ithink expect theresa may to survive tonight, sammy wilson? i think that advantage is on her side. she has the huge payroll vote, and she also has the fact that many people do not know who the likely successor will be, so advantages on her side, but who knows about the outcome. seema malhorta? all the reports suggests she may come through, but i think what is clear is well she is in office she is not in power and we have to move on. parliament needs a vote and we have to move forward to break this logjam. i think i know your answer. yes, my answer. a rare moment of agreement actually! all three think vicky will survive. that

seems to be the consensus at the moment, but remember it as a private ballot so what mps choose to do when they put their cross one way or the other will be in private, so anything really could still happen. studio: yes, we will know by nine o'clock. norman, thank you —— joanna: yes, we will know by nine o'clock. 174 mps has said publicly they will support theresa may, but whether that is really encouraging her, we don't know. it is a secret ballot so we will only 09 o'clock what the will be. coming up at 3:30, we'll bring you ask this, your chance to ask an expert any question you have on the upcoming confidence vote in theresa may. so, please, send your questions in via text on 61124, email askthis@bbc.co.uk or tweet hashtag bbc ask this, and we'll get you the answers. of course full coverage of reaction

throughout the day here in westminster. earlier today theresa may stood outside downing street this morning and said she will fight the vote with everthing she's got. here's what she had to say, and a warning — this next item contains flashing images. sir graham brady has confirmed he has received 48 letters from conservative mps, so there will now be a vote of confidence in my leadership of the conservative party. i will contest that vote with everything i've got. i have been a member of the conservative party for over 40 years. i've served it as an activist, councillor, mp, shadow minister, home secretary and now as prime minister. i stood to be leader because i believe in the conservative vision for a better future. a thriving economy, with nowhere and nobody left behind. a stronger society, where everyone can make the most of their talents. always serving the national interest.

and at this crucial moment in our history, that means securing a brexit deal that delivers on the result of the eu referendum. taking back control of our borders, laws and money but protecting jobs, our security and our precious union as we do so. through good times and bad over the last two years, my passionate belief that such a deal is attainable, that a bright future lies ahead for our country, has not wavered — and it is now within our grasp. i spent yesterday meeting chancellor merkel, prime minister rutte, president tusk and presidentjuncker, to address concerns mps have with the backstop — and we are making progress. i was due to travel to dublin this afternoon to continue that work, but will now remain in london to make the case for my leadership with my parliamentary colleagues. a change of leadership in the conservative party now

will put our country's future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it. a new leader wouldn't be in place by the 21st ofjanuary legal deadline, so a leadership election risks handing control of the brexit negotiations to opposition mps in parliament. the new leader wouldn't have time to renegotiate a withdrawal agreement and get the legislation through parliament by the 29th of march, so one of their first acts would have to be extending or rescinding article 50, delaying or even stopping brexit when people want us to get on with it. and a leadership election would not change the fundamentals of the negotiation or the parliamentary arithmetic. weeks spent tearing ourselves apart will only create more division just as we should be standing together to serve our country. none of that would be in the national interest. the only people whose interests would be served

are jeremy corbyn and john mcdonnell. the british people want us to get on with it and they want us to focus on the other vital issues that matter to them as well. building a stronger economy, delivering first—class public services, and the homes that families need. these are the public‘s priorities, and they must be the conservative party's priorities too. we must and we shall deliver on the referendum vote and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. but the conservatives must not be a single issue party. we are a party of the whole nation. moderate, pragmatic, mainstream. committed to reuniting our country and building a country that works for everyone. the agenda i set out in my first speech outside this front door. delivering the brexit people voted for, building a country that works for everyone. i have devoted myself unsparingly to these tasks ever since i became prime minister — and i stand ready to finish the job. it looks like after a pretty benign

week it will turn colder to end the week it will turn colder to end the week then turning more and settled into saturday with spells of rain, sleet and snow and strong winds. colderfor sleet and snow and strong winds. colder for the next few days for most, little rain across the west because of this area of low pressure continuing to the weather front in our direction. this has been bringing summer into parts of northern ireland, west scotland, west wales on the south—west of england and that will continue. quite windy in the north—west of the country to end the day but much of central and eastern england doing well with the sunshine. one or two showers for the north—east of scotland. temperatures, ten or 11 across the far west closer to the

low pressure area , across the far west closer to the low pressure area, but colder further east despite the wind and rain. so heading into the overnight period, it looks like be largely dry. with a few clear spells around. there will also be a touch of frost and places as skies tend to clear, but we could see a little rain across northern ireland thanks to this front. this low pressure will continue to bomb in against a high—pressure —— bump in. that will squeeze together that isobars so it will be windy, drawing in some cold airoff in the will be windy, drawing in some cold air off in the continent on that strong east or north—east wind. notably colder both thursday and friday. but because the high pressure is dominating, on the plus side it should be largely dry with good spells of sunshine, probably more than what we —— than we saw today. some of these in the north—east of scotland will be wintry over the high ground on the front is still bringing some cloud and rain to northern ireland. a windy day for all areas, with

temperatures 5—7, add on that strong wind and of course the wind chill makes it close to freezing and places. you will really need to wrap up, despite the sunshine. friday sta rts up, despite the sunshine. friday starts cold, probably widespread frost, but are largely dry unsettled bay for most. another cold one into friday night. this is when it starts to get interesting, this low pressure area winning out and sending from across the country, turning wetter, windier. some transient snow certainly in the north on higher ground where we could see a bit, and maybe some at lower levels as well for a time before it turns melbourne. the weekend is a transition period for something much colder, more wet and windy for many —— before it turns more mild. it looks like this snow will revert back to rain as the milderair will revert back to rain as the milder air moves in. a challenge to the prime minister as conservative mps trigger a vote

of confidence in her leadership. theresa may says she'll fight with everything she's got to keep herjob. sir graham brady has confirmed he has received 48 letters from conservative mps so there will now be a vote of confidence in my leadership of the conservative party. i will contest that vote with everything i have got. at least 48 tory mps sent letters of no confidence required to trigger a ballot. the vote will take place tonight. a ballot will be held between 6pm and 8pm and we will count as soon as we can provide a result as soon as we can after that.