BACKING came from South West Surrey MP and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt this week for Prime Minister Theresa May’s hopes that fresh assurances from the European Union (EU) over the temporary nature of the Northern Ireland backstop will arrive in time to change the minds of Tory mutineers.

This week, 20 MPs, including 17 former ministers, moved to block a no-deal Brexit on Tuesday night by helping defeat Mrs May in a vote that restricts her powers if Britain leaves without an agreement in place.

Downing Street has insisted that the Prime Minister would secure assurances from Brussels before the Parliamentary vote on the Withdrawal Agreement due to be held next week, in order to provide clarity on the controversial backstop plan to prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland.

Mrs May hopes to have the assurances she needs in time for an address to the Commons at the end of a five-day debate on the deal which started yesterday (Wednesday) in which she will make the final case for the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing to the Herald to clarify his position in the run up to the decisive vote, Mr Hunt said: “I would like to thank all those constituents who have written to me with their comments on the UK’s exit from the EU. I very much appreciate everyone taking the time to let me know their opinions.

“I voted to remain in the EU but strongly feel that as a democracy we must implement a decision which parliament promised – with an overwhelming majority – to respect. I happen to believe that Britain will flourish and prosper whatever the outcome of these negotiations but I recognise the deep concerns felt by many on all sides of the debate.

“However, I disagree with those who think another vote would ‘resolve’ the issue: I myself argued that the shape of the deal we negotiated needed democratic endorsement but following a general election in which over 80 per cent of the country voted for parties supporting the end of free movement and leaving the single market, it is clear not just that the British people wish to leave the EU but they wish to do so in a way that gives us back control of our money, borders and laws.

“Our job, therefore, as elected representatives is to make a success of that decision not to seek to reverse it. The next step is the Parliamentary vote on the Withdrawal Agreement. I am hopeful that following legally-binding clarifications on the Northern Irish backstop this will get approved as I firmly believe this is the best offer for our country.

“It is of course – as with any deal – a compromise. But it delivers the vast majority of what the country voted for and following the negotiations for a free trade deal with the EU next year has the potential to deliver everything.

“This will then allow us to get on with the many other challenges that face our country.”