BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a critical couple of days as she seeks to avoid a series of damaging defeats at Westminster for her government's Brexit legislation.
On the eve of today and tomorrow's key votes on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, the Tory leader appealed to her party for a show of unity.
The proposed legislation will be scrutinised by MPs, with ministers seeking to overturn a raft of amendments made in the House of Lords which are intended to keep Britain close to the EU after Brexit.
But Mrs May could face a revolt from pro-EU Tories determined to retain as many of the changes as possible in the legislation.
In what was billed as a highly-charged appearance yesterday before the backbench 1922 Committee, the prime minister reminded her MPs that they had a duty to deliver on the referendum vote to leave the EU.
She stressed that while the bill itself may be a largely technical measure, the way Conservatives vote in the division lobbies will send an important signal to the country and the EU.
"The purpose of the EU Withdrawal Bill is simple - it is putting EU legislation into law to ensure a smooth and orderly transition as we leave," she said.
"But the message we send to the country through our votes this week is important – we must be clear that we are united as a party in our determination to deliver on the decision made by the British people."
She said the electorate wanted her government to "take back control of our money, our laws and our borders".
Early indications suggested that after a turbulent couple of weeks in which Brexit Secretary David Davis came close to resigning, Mrs May can afford to be cautiously optimistic that she will secure the necessary numbers to see off any revolt.
Some pro-EU Tories were yesterday reported to be backing away amid fears that the prime minister could be fatally damaged by defeat, opening the way for a hardline Brexiteer to take over at the top of the party.
However, ministers were said to be taking nothing for granted with whips continuing to talk to MPs.
Mrs May's government is thought to be most vulnerable on two amendments – one on the customs union and the other giving parliament a decisive say over what happens next if it rejects a final Brexit deal.
After Mrs May spoke to MPs, Brexit Minister Steve Baker signalled that the government was prepared consider a compromise backbench amendment regarding customs relations with the EU.
Mr Davis was last week said to be close to quitting over the British government's "backstop" proposal to avoid a hard border in Ireland if there is no overall deal.
It then emerged Boris Johnson had privately suggested Donald Trump would make a better job of the Brexit negotiations than Mrs May, while the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier rejected key elements of the "backstop" plan.
Conservative 'Remain' campaigner Sarah Wollaston yesterday called for "further concessions" on the customs union, saying she was "minded" to rebel and support a Lords amendment giving parliament a meaningful vote on an exit deal.
