Several Kent MPs are among 75 so-called “waverers” who could hold the key to Theresa May’s hopes of getting her deal through.
Today, the prime minister confirmed she had written to the EU’s chief negotiator Donald Tusk seeking an extension to the deal until the end of June.
MPs are having an emergency debate on the extension in parliament this afternoon.
The latest developments comes as Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, says that he is prepared to back the Prime Minister’s European Union Withdrawal Agreement to stop Brexit being “betrayed”.
The MP says that despite reservations, he feared that there were now only two options facing the UK.
He said: “I have come to the conclusion that despite having severe reservations about the Withdrawal Agreement, if it is a choice between voting for that agreement or losing Brexit - and I fear they are the only two options we have left - then I will vote for it.
"My only priority is trying to ensure that those people who voted Brexit are not betrayed any more.”
Several Kent MPs are among 75 so-called “waverers” who could hold the key to Theresa May’s hopes of getting her deal through. But while Mr Henderson is swinging behind the PM, other waverers have yet to declare their hand.
Our political editor Paul Francis gives his assessment:
South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay: Underlined his hard core Brexit credentials as one of 22 MPs to sign a joint letter to the Daily Telegraph today saying the risks of leaving without a deal were overstated. After last week’s vote, he tweeted: "We've just given away our most powerful bargaining chip. #Pathetic". Would need to see some substantial changes to current deal to change his stance.
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke: Says that if the deal does get endorsed, it should be on condition Theresa May agrees to stand down, adding: "What I am clear on is that if we are going to support it, there needs to be a change of negotiating team... I think we need to have a change of leadership, and a new face and a new team to take us forward to the future relationship."
Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins: Has consistently opposed the deal and says there should be no vote before a EU summit this week, saying: "I think it would be wrong for the Prime Minister to bring back the Brexit agreement to the House of Commons this week, before the European Council meeting, unless there are meaningful changes to it."
Sevenoaks MP Sir Michael Fallon: Traditionally a party loyalist but has expressed reservations about the deal. PM likely to consider that he is among backbenchers who could be persuaded to switch.
Rehman Chishti. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti: Voted against the deal last week, partly because of the removal of the no-deal option, saying: "I think it is completely wrong to take no-deal off the table which would undermine the Prime Minister's hand in negotiations." Another loyalist who may be persuaded to swing behind the government.
Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson: After voting against the deal twice, now says that he is prepared to back the Prime Minister because he fears that Brexit may not happen if the deal doesn't go through.
Gravesham MP Adam Holloway: A committed leaver and member of the ERG (European Research Group) led by Jacob Rees-Mogg. Has been very critical of the government about the deal and unlikely to be persuaded to switch
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson: Agonised about whether to relinquish his role as party whip to oppose the deal. Eventually did so because he could no longer reconcile his role of trying to persuade MPs to back the deal when he "cannot, in all conscience, support the government's position".
