Theresa May vows to resign before next phase of Brexit if deal passed – media

Theresa May has played her final desperate card to tame the Brexit rebels in her warring party, by promising to sacrifice her premiership if they back her twice-rejected Brexit deal.

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The beleaguered prime minister, whose authority has been shattered by the double rejection of her deal and the humiliation of a delay to Brexit day, made the offer to Tory backbenchers at a packed meeting in parliament, The Guardian reported.

It came as MPs held backbench-led "indicative votes" on eight alternative Brexit options, including no deal, a referendum, a customs union and a Norway-style deal – none of which secured a majority.

May told her party's backbench 1922 Committee: "I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party. I know there is a desire for a new approach – and new leadership – in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations, and I won't stand in the way of that."

She added: "I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party."