Nigel Farage has said his Brexit Party is already focusing on fighting a general election after the Conservatives and Labour saw dramatic losses in the European elections.
The government will bring forward a key piece of Brexit legislation at the start of next month, Downing Street has said.
Number 10 said MPs will vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which enshrines the prime minister’s Brexit plan into UK law, in the week beginning 3 June.
The announcement came following what Downing Street said were “useful and constructive” talks between Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
It places an effective deadline on those cross-party discussions, which Mrs May sought in the wake of her Brexit deal being defeated three times by MPs.
Mrs May reached out to Mr Corbyn in a bid to find a compromise deal that could break the deadlock, but there has been no breakthrough so far.
“This evening the prime minister met the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons to make clear our determination to bring the talks to a conclusion and deliver on the referendum result to leave the EU,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
“We will therefore be bringing forward the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the week beginning the 3rd June.
“It is imperative we do so then if the UK is to leave the EU before the summer parliamentary recess.”
A Labour Party spokeswoman said Mr Corbyn voiced his “concerns about the prime minister’s ability to deliver on any compromise agreement”.
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She continued: “In particular, he raised doubts over the credibility of government commitments, following statements by Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers seeking to replace the prime minister.
“Jeremy Corbyn made clear the need for further movement from the government, including on entrenchment of any commitments.
“The prime minister’s team agreed to bring back documentation and further proposals tomorrow.”
According to one report, the first defection could come as early as 14 February, immediately after the next round of Commons votes on Brexit. Mr Corbyn will also face a fresh challenge on Monday over his handling of anti-Semitism allegations within the party at what is expected to be a fractious meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).
At least six MPs are said to be contemplating a breakaway, with the move led by backbenchers dismayed by their leader’s opposition to a second referendum on Brexit.
Sir Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat leader, said his party had been in talks with Labour MPs – as well as Tories – over how to thwart Brexit.
“When the Brexit issue is resolved one way or another, I think they will reconsider their position in the Labour Party,” he said.
“I can’t predict exactly what will happen but I think there’s a real chance of a significant group breaking away,” he told Sky News.
Long-standing rumours of a new centrist grouping have grown at Westminster as the parliamentary skirmishing over Brexit intensifies ahead of next month’s scheduled departure date. Several wealthy benefactors are said to be on stand-by to bankroll the group, particularly if it manages to attract Conservative as well as Labour MPs.
Cloud of scandal Jennie Formby, General Secretary of the Labour Party, wants to ensure the anti-Semitism row is dealt with
Monday’s PLP session, MPs will urge Mr Corbyn to prove that the leadership has got to grips with the anti-Semitism row which has dogged the party for more than two years. A motion will give him a week to set out how he is addressing the allegations.
Deputy leader Tom Watson suggested last year that Labour’s general secretary, should step down if the anti-Semitism row had not been dealt with by Christmas. He said Ms Formby had “staked” her career on dealing with anti-Semitism in Labour, after taking over from Iain McNicol in April 2018.
Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston said: “I’ve made it clear for many weeks that I would not remain in a party that planned to inflict No Deal on its people. Rather than her current coercive approach, the PM could and should take this off the table.”
