Tory heavyweights and opposition MPs savaged Theresa May's Brexit deal in the Commons after she told them to back her plans of "go back to square one".
Addressing MPs on Monday after her plans were approved by EU leaders at a special Brexit summit, the Prime Minister stressed that there “is no better Brexit deal available” and that it would leader to a “brighter future for Britain”.
But MPs on all sides of the house hit back at Mrs May, including Tory heavyweights Boris Johnson, David Davis and Iain Duncan Smith.
Mrs May told MPs that rejecting her deal when they vote on it in mid-December would take Britain “back to square one with all the risks that will entail.”
"Our duty is to examine this deal, debate it respectfully, listen to our constituents and decide what is in the national interest," Mrs May said.
“The British people want us to get on with a deal that will honour the referendum and allows us to come together again as country.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn quipped in his response: “Under this Government, we have never got off square one.”
Mrs May sought to quell concerns on the Northern Irish border issue, telling MPs: "I know some members remain concerned that we could find ourselves stuck in this backstop. So let me address this directly. First, this is an insurance policy that no-one wants to use. Both the UK and the EU are fully committed to having our future relationship in place by 1st January 2021.
"And the Withdrawal Agreement has a legal duty on both sides to use best endeavours to avoid the backstop ever coming into force. If, despite this, the future relationship is not ready by the end of 2020, we would not be forced to use the backstop. We would have a clear choice between the backstop or a short extension to the Implementation Period.
"If we did choose the backstop, the legal text is clear that it should be temporary and that the Article 50 legal base cannot provide for a permanent relationship.”
Mr Johnson, the former foreign secretary, told the Commons the backstop was “unsatisfactory” and that he found it hard to see how the deal “could provide certainty for business or anyone else.”
He said: “Half of cabinet are telling businesses we will remain in the customs union and single market, while the Prime Minister continues to say we are taking back control of our laws, that we will vary tariffs and be able to do free trade deals. So which is it?”
Leading Tory Remainer Anna Soubry demanded to know what was Mrs May’s “plan B” if the deal was voted down, while former Brexit secretary Mr Davis questioned why, if the EU is really determined to negotiate in good faith, could the £39bn not be made conditional on delivery.
Former Tory leader Mr Duncan Smith again raised concerns about the backstop, while former Cabinet minister Sir Michael Fallon said: “Nobody can doubt the Prime Minister has tried her very best but we are being asked to take a huge gamble.”
Staunch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg referenced the EU divorce bill and asked “what an earth were they spending £39bn of tax-payers money on?”
Mr Corbyn told MPs: "The Prime Minister says if we reject this deal, it will take us back to square one.
"The truth is, under this Government we have never got off square one.
"This botched deal is still a bad deal for the country and all yesterday did was mark the end of this Government's failed and miserable negotiations."
And in a fierce exchange with Mrs May, Labour’s Yvette Cooper said: “We have no idea where this is heading. Other countries says it gives them more leverage and reduces our negotiating power
“How can she say this is in our interests?
“She used to say nothing was agreed until everything has agreed. What’s changed?"
