March 8, 2019 9.16 am This story is over 68 months old

Theresa May to address Lincolnshire workers in Brexit speech

‘I know you’re fed up’

Prime Minister Theresa May will address an audience of workers in Grimsby today with a promise of extra pressure on the EU to give ground over the Brexit deal.

It’s understood the PM will visit a major employee in the town where she will deliver a speech demanding that the EU agrees legally binding changes to the controversial backstop.

May is expected to say: “Just as MPs will face a big choice next week, the EU has to make a choice too.

“We are both participants in this process.

“It is in the European interest for the UK to leave with a deal.

“We are working with them but the decisions that the European Union makes over the next few days will have a big impact on the outcome of the vote.”

MPs will vote on Tuesday on the Withdrawal Agreement. May seeks further concessions on the Northern Ireland backstop in order to reverse the defeat last time the Commons passed judgement on the deal.

In a message to the North Lincolnshire town, the PM reportedly told residents ‘I know you’re fed up with Brexit’, adding that she ‘shares the frustration’.

“That is why the Meaningful Vote next Tuesday is such a critical moment. MPs will have to decide whether to back the Brexit deal – or to reject it.”

Negotiators will work through the weekend to break the deadlock over the backstop measures, aimed at preventing a hard border with Ireland.