Tory Nick Boles: ‘Theresa May has to talk to Jeremy Corbyn to get a Brexit deal through’ Former minister warns that she cannot rely on Tories and DUP for Commons majority

Theresa May has been urged by a senior Conservative to open talks with Jeremy Corbyn in an attempt to build a cross-party consensus over Brexit.

Following her rebuff by European leaders, the former minister Nick Boles said she should stop trying to “go it alone” and reach out beyond the Tory benches.

“Next week she must open cross-party discussions, and if Corbyn won’t play ball, talk to SNP, Plaid Cymru and backbench Labour MPs.” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Nick Boles

He became the latest prominent MP to insist that abandoning traditional party lines is the only way to break the Brexit impasse.

Mr Boles warned that it would be impossible for the Prime Minister to win a Commons majority for her withdrawal agreement with only Tory and DUP support.

May mustn’t ‘go it alone’

He argued that the Prime Minister needed to discuss with other leaders and backbenchers from other parties to discover what changes to the agreement would gain their support.

“The best that can be said for the EU Council is this: hopefully this is the last time that Theresa May tries to go it alone,” he said.

“Next week she must open cross-party discussions, and if Corbyn won’t play ball, talk to SNP, Plaid Cymru and backbench Labour MPs.”

Mr Boles has advocated a “Norwegian-style Brexit” under which Britain would remain part of the single market, but leave the common agricultural and fisheries policies.

National unity government

Three other former ministers have already floated the idea of forming a “government of national unity” to search for a Brexit compromise.

Anna Soubry ruled out including the current Labour front bench, explaining: “I would encompass Plaid Cymru, the SNP and other sensible, pragmatic people who believe in putting this country’s interests first and foremost.”

Nicky Morgan has suggested the establishment of “some sort of government of national unity” this week as she hit out at Mrs May’s decision to delay the “meaningful vote” on her Brexit blueprint.

Sir Nicholas Soames said: “If I had my way we would have a national government to deal with this.”