
Theresa May today insisted Britain will be able to strike trade deals around the world and that the transition deal will end before the 2022 General Election and she issued a rallying cry to business to back her Brexit deal.

The PM hailed her divorce agreement as a 'good' deal which would finally let the country regain control of its borders, laws and money.

Facing down her mutinous MPs, she mounted another robust defence of the package thrashed out with Brussels despite the threat of a no-confidence vote by her own backbenchers.

In a well-received speech to business leaders, she said the blueprint will allow the UK to regain control of immigration - while keeping ties with the EU strong and protecting jobs.

She said: 'The agreement is a good one for the UK. It fulfills the wishes of the British people as expressed in the 2016 referendum. Let no one be in any doubt. I am determined to deliver it.'

And she scrambled to play down Michel Barnier's proposal that the transition period could be extended by another two years to the end of 2022 - a move which would fuel Brexiteer fury.

She said: 'My view is that I don't want that to come into place', adding that it was important for the UK to be out of the transition by the next general election.

The defiant PM also rebuffed Brexiteer claims that her deal would stop the UK from being able to strike free trade deals with out countries - insisting the Britain would be able to.

Mrs May also urged the public to listen to businesses highlighting the threat to the economy from crashing out of the bloc, saying that such firms were 'providing your jobs that ensure that you have that income that puts food on the table for your family'.

Moving to quell calls from within Cabinet for the deal to be renegotiated, the premier made clear that there is no prospect of reopening the divorce talks - saying the task now was to finalise the future trade framework.

The tough stance came as mutinous Tory MPs pleaded with colleagues to write letters of no-confidence to the powerful 1922 committee - amid signs they are still struggling to reach the 48 needed to force a full vote.

Some politicians are thought to have been put off after sensing strong resistance in their constituency parties over the weekend. Senior Conservatives have also appealed for them to hold fire, with former chief whip Andrew Mitchell warning that the party would sustain massive damage if they were seen to 'hunt her down' as happened to Margaret Thatcher.

Tory ex-leader Lord Howard said that while he personally opposes the Brexit deal it should be put to Parliament.

The PM went on the offensive in a speech to the CBI today (pictured) saying her Brexit deal is the best thing for the country

Michael Gove (pictured leaving his London home this morning) eased the pressure on Mrs May last week by making clear he will not resign

MPs in the European Research Group - which is led by Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured in Westminster today) - have joined efforts to oust Mrs May, although it is split on the issue

EU foreign ministers underlined the choice facing Parliament as they arrived at a meeting in Brussels today, warning the package on the table is the 'best there is'.

Chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the arrangements that had been painstakingly put together over nearly two years are 'fair and balanced' and the UK will be left in 'full control'.

In another day of high-drama in the Brexit battle:

Tory Eurosceptics say they expect a no-confidence vote to be triggered within days, as more MPs submit letters to be sent to 1922 committee chair Sir Graham Brady.

David Davis says he believed the figure is over 40 and could be 'teetering on the brink' of the 48 threshold needed to force a vote. Mr Davis bizarrely quoted the Spice Girls as he said Mrs May should 'stop right now'.

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom and Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt are said to be still considering resigning rather than endorsing the Brexit deal - although the idea of a 'Gang of Five' ministers fighting against her appears to have receded.

Business Secretary Greg Clark confirmed the transition period could be extended for up to two years in order to smooth the process of leaving the EU. But Mrs May insisted she believed it must finish in time for the next general election in May 2022.

Mrs May today said the divorce arrangements have already been 'agreed in full' as she insists her settlement is a 'good one for the UK'.

Addressing the CBI annual conference in London, the Prime Minister said the priority in this 'intense week of negotiations' is to 'hammer out' the framework of the future trade deal.

Who has sent letters of no confidence in May? Letters of no confidence in Theresa May are confidential - but some of her strongest critics have gone public. If 48 letters are sent a vote is called. This is who has definitely sent a letter: Jacob Rees-Mogg , North East Somerset, Jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament.uk Steve Baker , Wycombe, steve.baker.mp@parliament.uk Sheryll Murray , South East Cornwall, sheryll.murray.mp@parliament.uk Anne-Marie Morris , Newton Abbott, annemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk Lee Rowley , North East Derbyshire, lee.rowley.mp@parliament.uk Henry Smith , Crawley, henry.smith.mp@parliament.uk Simon Clarke , Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, simon.clarke.mp@parliament.uk Peter Bone , Wellingborough, bonep@parliament.uk James Duddridge , Rochford and Southend East, james@jamesduddridge.com Philip Davies , Shipley, daviesp@parliament.uk Andrea Jenkyns , Morley and Outwood, andrea.jenkyns.mp@parliament.uk Andrew Bridgen , North West Leicestershire, andrew.bridgen.mp@parliament.uk Nadine Dorries , Mid Bedfordshire, dorriesn@parliament.uk Laurence Robertson , Tewkesbury, robertsonl@parliament.uk Martin Vickers , Cleethorpes, martin.vickers.mp@parliament.uk Ben Bradley , Mansfield, ben.bradley.mp@parliament.uk Adam Holloway , Gravesham, hollowaya@parliament.uk John Whittingdale , Maldon, john.whittingdale.mp@parliament.uk Maria Caulfield , Lewes, maria.caulfield.mp@parliament.uk Mark Francois , Rayleigh and Wickford, mark.francois.mp@parliament.uk David Jones , Clwyd West, david.jones@parliament.uk Marcus Fysh , Yeovil, marcus.fysh.mp@parliament.uk Chris Green , Bolton West, chris.green.mp@parliament.uk Zac Goldsmith , Richmond Park, zac@zacgoldsmith.com Bill Cash , Stone, cashw@parliament.uk Philip Hollobone , Kettering, philip.hollobone.mp@parliament.uk Andrew Lewer, Northampton South, andrew.lewer.mp@parliament.uk Crispin Blunt , Reigate, crispinbluntmp@parliament.uk Owen Paterson , Shropshire Patersono@parliament.uk Advertisement

She told delegates that her agreement will create a level playing field on immigration that means EU nationals will no longer be able to 'jump the queue'.

'Getting back full control of our borders is an issue of great importance to the British people... once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here,' she said.

'It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi.

'Instead of a system based on where a person is from, we will have one that is built around the talents and skills a person has to offer.

'Not only will this deliver on the verdict of the referendum, it should lead to greater opportunity for young people in this country to access training and skilled employment.'

The stark message about the options facing Parliament was underlined by EU ministers as they arrived at a Brussels meeting today.

Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, said: 'Boris Johnson once said 'Britain is leaving the EU, It is not leaving Europe'.

'I think the challenge now is for these Brexit dogmatists to show whether that is true.

'I think Theresa May deserves praise for her position. 'No deal is better than a bad deal' has disappeared. 'Any deal is better than no deal' is now the slogan. That is right.

'This deal that is now on the table is the best there is. There is no better deal for this crazy Brexit.'

As Conservative MPs upped their efforts to for a no-confidence vote, David Davis said he believed over 40 letters have been submitted to Sir Graham, and the numbers 'seem to be teetering close to getting over the 48'.

He also said Mrs May will be the 'first person' to find out if he submits a letter.

Backbencher Anne Marie Morris said there was 'no question' the threshold of 48 letters would be reached this week.

She told BBC Breakfast that Mrs May 'has had one of the most difficult jobs', something she respects her for, but that the Prime Minister is 'not going to deliver Brexit'.

Asked who would deliver for the country if Mrs May is removed, she added: 'There are lots of new very bright, able people in the party.

'My experience is if you name these people, it is always the kiss of death... I think it would be somebody new, somebody from the 2010 or 2015 intake.

'I don't think it will be, dare I say, one of the old guard... I believe people, the general public, want somebody new who is not in a way tainted by all the debate, and the debacle and behaviour of the last few years.'

Fellow MP Simon Clarke told the BBC that colleagues needed to 'search their consciences' and write letters.

'It is quite clear to me that the captain is driving the ship at the rocks,' he said.

But Tory former leader Lord Howard said although he was against the deal, a vote of confidence would be a distraction, telling the Today programme: 'I don't think that Members of Parliament should be distracted in the next few weeks by a confidence motion, or a leadership contest which might follow that.

'They should be concentrating on the document and its implications.'

Mr Mitchell said the party would sustain huge damage if was seen to 'hunt down' the PM in the same way it did Thatcher in 1990.

Scottish Conservative Andrew Bowie said he had found activists and members of the public were behind the PM.

'I don't get the 'Tory MPs go to their associations, they will have heard that they need to get rid of the PM and the deal'... Nothing could be further from the truth in my case!' he said.

What Theresa May told the CBI about... Immigration Once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here. It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi. Instead of a system based on where a person is from, we will have one that is built around the talents and skills a person has to offer. Jobs The outline future framework agrees to the creation of a comprehensive free trade area with the EU, our biggest and nearest goods market. Zero tariffs, no fees, charges or restrictions across all goods sectors, with an ambitious customs arrangement that respects both sides’ legal orders... The deal proposed will work for all (businesses) and sustain the livelihoods they provide to working people across the UK. Transition period We have agreed a transition period, to avoid a cliff-edge for business and to provide the certainty you need to invest. The choice facing MPs My job is to get the best deal. Parliament must then examine it and do what is in the national interest. Advertisement

'Everyone I've spoken to, assoc Chairman, members, ordinary members of the public, supporting the PM.'

Mrs May yesterday took a swipe at Tory rivals threatening to unseat her as party leader, warning that she was not 'going to be distracted' from the 'important job of making sure we do get that good final deal for this country'.

She argued that a change of leadership would not make it easier to get a deal past Parliament, but would instead create economic instability and put jobs at risk.

In a message to those plotting her downfall, including members of the European Research Group of Eurosceptic MPs led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, she said she had not considered quitting.

She told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: 'A change of leadership at this point isn't going to make the negotiations any easier and it isn't going to change the parliamentary arithmetic.

'What it will do is bring in a degree of uncertainty. That is uncertainty for people and their jobs.

'What it will do is mean that it is a risk that we delay the negotiations and that is a risk that Brexit gets delayed or frustrated.'

Asked if she had considered stepping down, Mrs May said: 'No, I haven't. Of course it has been a tough week – actually these negotiations have been tough right from the start – but they were always going to get even more difficult right toward the end when we are coming to that conclusion.'

She added that the next seven days 'are going to be critical', and said she would be travelling back to Brussels to talk with key figures – including European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker – ahead of an emergency European Council summit on Sunday.

A group of five Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers – Commons leader Mrs Leadsom, environment secretary Mr Gove, international development secretary Penny Mordaunt, transport secretary Chris Grayling and international trade secretary Liam Fox – had been expected to gather this morning for breakfast to discuss how to push for changes to Mrs May's Brexit deal.

However, the meeting is thought to have been dropped.

Dr Fox wrote a supportive article in the Telegraph today urging MPs to get behind the PM. Mrs Leadsom is still on 'resignation watch' as she wrestles with whether she can support the deal.

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Mr Clark has fuelled speculation that the transition period could be extended beyond the mooted end date of December 2020.

The Withdrawal Agreement contains a blank date for when the implementation period could be pushed to if the UK decides to do that rather than enter the Irish border 'backstop' arrangements.

How CBI delegates reacted to May's plans CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn told the event in east London: 'It is a compromise. But it is hard-won progress.' Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry said: 'One in five small employers rely on staff from the EU. More than one in three say finding the right staff is currently holding back growth. 'If they're lumbered with complex paperwork and a surcharge to bring in EU staff post-Brexit, that will cause a significant drag on the billions they contribute to the economy each year.' Danny Mortimer, NHS Employers chief executive, warned the planned changes could cut off the supply of nurses. 'We know we need to increase the number of UK trained health professionals, especially nurses,' he said. Brexit-supporting businessman Roger Kendrick told Mrs May: 'Think again about the economics of the whole thing.' Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: 'We are encouraged to see the Prime Minister talking about the importance of maintaining frictionless trade for goods after 29 March. However, the current uncertainty is a concern for consumers and retailers alike. Advertisement

Mr Barnier has suggested that the transition could finish at the end of 2022.

Mr Clark said: 'It would be at our request, and that would be a maximum period.

'But it would be for this purpose; it would be if the negotiations are making good progress but haven't quite been finalised, to have the option - and it would be an option for us, if there is value in having the option - rather than going in for a temporary period into the backstop, and having a second change, to have the option, if we wanted, if the UK wanted, to extend the transition.'

Karen Bradley, one of Mrs May's closest Cabinet allies, yesterday said the country faced a choice between what she termed 'the only workable deal that fulfils the will of the referendum', or 'back to square one on Brexit'.

The Northern Ireland secretary added: 'Clearly, this is a deal that has involved some difficult choices at times, and an element of compromise.

'That is an unavoidable fact of negotiations and I accept not everybody is going to agree with every point of detail or choice that we have made.

'But it is fundamentally a deal which is in the national interest. It is a deal that will protect jobs, our national security and the integrity of our precious United Kingdom.'

Ms Mordaunt insisted she was working for the 'best deal possible' today amid claims the Brexiteer wing of the Cabinet could still quit.

The group of Leavers - that also includes Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Mrs Leadsom, Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling - are thought likely to hold talks before Cabinet tomorrow.

They opted to stay in Cabinet last week insisting it was the only way to get Brexit back on track.

Ms Mordaunt swerved questions about whether she was still considering her position as she left home today.

She told Sky News: 'I'll be working with the whole of the Cabinet to get the best deal possible for the United Kingdom.'

Mr Gove said today the 'Prime Minister is doing a very good job' and said she had his 'full support' when asked if he would resign without changes.

How Brexiteers would get rid of Theresa May Brexiteers have attempted a coup against Theresa May in fury at her draft deal with the EU - but they will have to navigate Tory rules to force her out. The Prime Minister insisted she plans to 'see this through' to make clear to the rebels she will not quit voluntarily. This is how the Tory Party rules work: What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 48 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. This possible delay could give Mrs May a 'grace period' where she knows a contest is imminent but not yet public knowledge. How is a vote announced? There are few fixed rules but Sir Graham is likely to inform Downing Street or the Chief Whip and then make a public announcement. Sir Graham is likely to check with the MPs who have sent him a letter before making an announcement in case any of them want to withdraw. This will happen secretly. How will the vote happen? After it is announced, a vote will happen quickly, with Tory MPs invited to cast a secret ballot in a Commons committee room. Voting will be open for one day and Sir Graham will announce the result at the end. What needs to happen for Theresa May to win? Officially, Mrs May only needs to win a simple majority of Tory MPs - currently that is 158 MPs. Politically, winning by one would be devastating. If more than 100 MPs vote against her, most observers think she would be finished. What happens if she loses? Mrs May is sacked as Tory leader and Sir Graham will announce a leadership contest. She cannot stand in the contest. She will probably stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected but have no political power or authority to do anything. What happens next? In a Tory leadership contest, any MP can stand with a proposer and seconder. Tory MPs vote several times a week on the candidates with the last place candidate being removed from the race at each ballot. When there are only two candidates remaining, a run off is held among all Tory members in the country. How long will it take? The first phase depends on how many candidates there are. A large field could mean a fortnight or more of regular ballots. In the past, the second round has taken anywhere from four to 12 twelve weeks - but some think a vote of Tory members could be finished in just a week. Advertisement

Who could replace Theresa May? As the PM admits she will have to quit soon, these are some of the leading contenders to take over Theresa May won her Tory confidence vote after promising not to lead the party into the 2022 general election. These are some of the leading contenders to replace her: Boris Johnson - 7/2 How did they vote on Brexit? Led the Vote Leave campaign alongside Michael Gove. What is their view now? Hard line Brexiteer demanding a clean break from Brussels. The former foreign secretary is violently opposed to Theresa May's Chequers plan and a leading voice demanding a Canada-style trade deal. What are their chances? Mr Johnson's biggest challenge could be navigating the Tory leadership rules. He may be confident of winning a run-off among Tory members but must first be selected as one of the top two candidates by Conservative MPs. Now rated as favourite by the bookies, Boris Johnson's (pictured leaving parliament last night) biggest challenge will be navigating the Tory leadership rules Dominic Raab - 9/2 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave, with a second tier role campaigning for Vote Leave. What is their view now? Mr Raab was installed as Brexit Secretary to deliver the Chequers plan but sensationally resigned last month saying the deal was not good enough. What are their chances? His resignation from the Cabinet put rocket boosters under Mr Raab's chances, fuelling his popularity among the hardline Brexiteers. May struggle to overcome bigger beasts and better known figures. Newly installed as Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab (pictured on Tuesday) is trying to negotiate Theresa May's Brexit deal Sajid Javid - 5/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain but kept a low profile in the referendum. What is their view now? Pro delivering Brexit and sceptical of the soft Brexit options. What are their chances? Probably the leading candidate from inside the Cabinet after his dramatic promotion to Home Secretary. Mr Javid has set himself apart from Mrs May on a series of policies, notably immigration. Sajid Javid (pictured leaving the Houses of Parliament this evening) is probably the leading candidate from inside the Cabinet after his dramatic promotion to Home Secretary Michael Gove - 7/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave What is their view now? He has said Theresa May's Chequers blueprint for Brexit is the 'right one for now'. But he recently suggested a future prime minister could alter the UK-EU relationship if they desired. What are their chances? He came third in the first round of voting in 2016, trailing behind ultimate winner Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom. Mr Gove has said it is 'extremely unlikely' that he would stand again. But he popular in the party and is seen as an ideas man and a reformer by many, and he could change his mind if Theresa May is shown the door. Michael Gove appeared to rule himself out of the race in recent days, but he ran last time and is popular among many in the party. He is pictured outside the Houses of Parliament today Jeremy Hunt - 7/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. What is their view now? The Foreign Secretary claims the EU Commission's 'arrogance' has made him a Brexiteer. What are their chances? Another top contender inside Cabinet, Mr Hunt's stock rose during his record-breaking stint at the Department of Health and won a major promotion to the Foreign Office after Mr Johnson's resignation. Widely seen as a safe pair of hands which could be an advantage if the contest comes suddenly. Jeremy Hunt's stock rose during his record-breaking stint at the Department of Health and won a major promotion to the Foreign Office after Mr Johnson's resignation David Davis - 10/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and a supporter of scrapping Mrs May's plan and pursuing a Canada-style trade deal with the EU. What are their chances? The favoured choice of many hard Brexiteers. Seen as a safer pair of hands than Mr Johnson and across the detail of the current negotiation after two years as Brexit Secretary. He could be promoted a caretaker to see through Brexit before standing down. Unlikely to be the choice of Remain supporters inside the Tory Party - and has been rejected by the Tory membership before, in the 2005 race against David Cameron. David Davis (pictured outside the Houses of Parliament today) is seen as a safer pair of hands than Mr Johnson and across the detail of the current negotiation after two years as Brexit Secretary Amber Rudd - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. Represented Britain Stronger in Europe in the TV debates. What is their view now? Strongly remain and supportive of a second referendum - particularly given a choice between that and no deal. What are their chances? Popular among Conservative MPs as the voice of Cameron-style Toryism, Ms Rudd is still seen as a contender despite resigning amid the Windrush scandal - and she was boosted further by her return to Cabinet as Work and Pensions Secretary on Friday night. She is badly hampered by having a tiny majority in her Hastings constituency and would not be able to unite the Tory party in a sudden contest over the Brexit negotiation. Popular among Conservative MPs as the voice of Cameron-style Toryism, Amber Rudd (pictured leaving parliament this evening) is still seen as a contender despite resigning amid the Windrush scandal Jacob Rees-Mogg - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and recently branded Theresa May's Brexit U-turn a 'humiliation' which has left her deal 'defeated'. What are their chances? As chair of the European Research Group (ERG) bloc of Tory Eurosceptics he has been urging MPs to replace Mrs May for weeks. Pro-Brexit supporter, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, walks through members of the media and anit-brexit demonstrators as he walks near to the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday Penny Mordaunt - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and subject of persistent rumour she could be the next to quit Cabinet over Mrs May's Brexit deal. What are their chances? Possible dark horse in the contest, Ms Mordaunt is not well known to the public but is seen as a contender in Westminster. Known to harbour deep concerns about Mrs May's Brexit deal, but has stopped short of resigning from Cabinet. Possible dark horse in the contest, Penny Mordaunt (pictured in Downing Street) is not well known to the public but is seen as a contender in Westminster Andrea Leadsom - 16/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Ms Leadsom said in late November that she was backing the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels because it 'delivered' on the referendum result. What are their chances? Leader of the Commons since June, Andrea Leadsom found herself at the centre of controversy in the 2016 leadership campaign when comments she made were interpreted as a claim that she would be a better PM than Mrs May because she was a mother. Asked recently whether Mrs May was the right person to be leading the country, she said she is 'at the moment'. Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the House of Commons, arrives at Downing Street on Thursday last week Gavin Williamson - 33/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. What is their view now? Mr Williamson tweeted today: 'The Prime Minister has my full support. She works relentlessly hard for our country and is the best person to make sure we leave the EU on 29 March and continue to deliver our domestic agenda.' What are their chances? He backed Remain in the referendum and pledged his support for Mrs May in the 2016 leadership contest but has since been mentioned as a potential future Tory leader. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is a 33/1 outsider according to the best odds by bookies this evening Advertisement