Theresa May has urged MPs to vote as democrats and patriots as part of a desperate effort to get her twice-rejected Brexit deal approved by parliament.
It comes as ministers continue efforts to win the backing of the DUP, and more Tory Brexiteers indicate they may be prepared to reluctantly vote for Mrs May’s deal next week.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the prime minister called on politicians to look beyond the categories of Leave and Remain and resolve this question now.
Having suffered another substantial parliamentary loss in the second meaningful vote on the Brexit withdrawal agreement last Tuesday, Mrs May is expected to bring the deal back to the Commons for a third time on Tuesday next week.
In the aftermath of the 2017 general election, a confidence and supply agreement was signed between the DUP and the government to provide Mrs May with a working majority in parliament.
As part of that agreement the government provided around £1bn of investment in Northern Ireland. The two-year confidence and supply agreement is due to expire later this year.
Meanwhile, talks between ministers and the DUP have continued over the weekend, as efforts intensify to secure the backing of the party’s 10 MPs.
However, a DUP spokesman has rejected suggestions a cash deal is being negotiated in exchange for their support.
We are in discussions with the government to ensure Northern Ireland is not separated out from the rest of the United Kingdom as we leave the European Union, a DUP spokesman said.