Brexit deal: What we know so far

Theresa May has told parliament that the deal that she has agreed in principle to finalise the details of the UK's departure from the EU will '˜put in place' the will of the voters.

Mrs May faced a hostile reception from both the Labour party and her own backbenchers as she talked up the prospects of a deal that looks certain to prove difficult to pass.

A mammoth cabinet meeting yesterday ended with a late night declaration from the Prime Minister that her senior ministers backed the proposal.

Theresa May in Parliament. Picture: AFP/Getty

De-facto coalition partners of the Conservatives, the DUP, are furious about what they see is an unacceptable compromise on the issue of the border between Northern Ireland the Irish Republic.

For their part, the SNP are furious about what they see as disrespect over the Government’s handling of the deal, and wish to see Scotland given the same status as Northern Ireland.

What is in the deal?

The deal has seen both sides compromise, and will be presented by Theresa May in her hard sell to Conservatives as the absolute best possible deal that was available.

Most notably, a ‘backstop’ will be put in place under the plans in order to prevent any return a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

There was also a concession from the EU on visa-free travel.

Are the Cabinet on board?

Theresa May declared on Wednesday that the cabinet had given ‘consent’ to the plans.

Mrs May is understood to have met with several Ministers individually on Tuesday evening, but convened a special meeting of the Cabinet to pitch to them on the deal and encourage them to back it.

As we reported this morning, The Prime Minister fully expects a revolt.

What about Conservative MPs?

Again that is something we will find out if and when the terms of the deal are made public and when it comes to a vote in the House of Commons.

However, early signs are not good for the Prime Minister, as anti-EU hardliners and even more moderate voices are united in dismissal of the deal that she has struck.

Conservative backbenchers were queueing up in the House of Commons lobby yesterday to denounce the deal to anyone who would listen, but especially journalists, and were clearly sending a message to Mrs May.

And the DUP?

Theresa May’s Northern Irish colleagues have been the most vocal opponents to the deal that was announced yesterday.

Senior MPs, and leader Arlene Foster, have even said that the deal they made to prop up Theresa May’s government last year was not with Mrs May herself, but rather the party.

How has the deal gone down in Scotland?

Alongside the DUP, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell made clear to Theresa May that any ‘different arrangements’ for Northern Ireland was a red line for them.

That duo, especially cabinet minister Mundell, will face increasing pressure to resign as it is clear that, at least temporarily, there is a different set of circumstances for the Province.

Nicola Sturgeon has also hit out at the plans, not just because her ministers {https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-ministers-not-being-shown-draft-brexit-deal-branded-unacceptable-1-4829368" title="were seemingly kept in the dark">were seemingly kept in the dark over them, but because she sees the deal as a threat to Scotland’s Human Rights plans.