Theresa May's Brexit deal was today described as "dying" by staunch EU supporter Ken Clarke.
It comes ahead of a renewed battle for the Prime Minister's deal next week when MPs return to Westminster.
Mrs May has been warned by both European Union supporters and Eurosceptics that her deal is unlikely to be passed.
Pro-EU veteran Ken Clarke said Mrs May's deal, which has been signed off by the EU 27 and he would support, is "dying".
He said he would be "amazed" if MPs had changed their views over the Christmas break and called for Brexit to be delayed until a way forward can be found.
Stating "we need more time" to agree on how to proceed, he told the BBC: "Nobody can deal with us on the continent until the British have agreed amongst themselves on some sort of consensus."
Meanwhile a significant number of Conservative Brexiteers remain opposed to the Withdrawal Agreement, appearing relaxed about the prospect of a no-deal scenario.
Former Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood said a no-deal Brexit "will work just fine".
He blasted what he called "idiotic" warnings about potential shortages of food and medicines.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme he said: "Many of us in the country just want to move on and talk about something else, we want to be out and we know it will work just fine."
In December, the Prime Minister delayed a vote on her Brexit deal with MPs set to resume debate on it on Wednesday.
This is ahead of a vote expected the following week.
She is thought to be considering offering MPs further safeguards about the contentious Irish backstop - the measure aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Critics fear this could leave the UK indefinitely bound into a customs union with the EU and prevent future trade deals with countries around the world.
On Friday, Mrs May had a "friendly" call with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
The pair are expected to keep in touch next week, furthering speculation about efforts to win further concessions from Brussels ahead of the Commons vote, widely expected to be on January 15.
Officials are reportedly drawing up a possible Commons amendment to the Brexit vote allowing Parliament the right to serve notice to the EU of an intention to quit the backstop after 12 months, should Brussels fails to agree a trade deal with the UK that would resolve the issue.
Mrs May is also seeking a written guarantee from the EU a trade deal can be agreed within 12 months of the transition period ending.
The Brexit date is set for March 29, 2019.
