May takes the backstop back to Brussels: Here’s what the papers think

Perspectives and views on the latest Brexit developments differ in Wednesday’s papers – with one calling it “Theresa’s Triumph” while others suggest the battle has just begun.

The Daily Mail writes that the Prime Minister “secured a dramatic victory” after MPs voted for an amendment which would see her return to Brussels to renegotiate the Irish backstop.

Inside, the paper’s leader column says: “Just when it seemed Parliament was drowning inexorably in a quagmire of its own indecision, a majority of MPs has finally managed to agree a coherent Brexit strategy.”

It refers to the success – two weeks since her Withdrawal Agreement was roundly defeated in the Commons – as a “Lazarus-like comeback”.

The Daily Express carries along a similar theme, running the headline “She did it!”, while the Sun says “Backstop from the Brink” and adds Mrs May now has “wind in her sails”.

Inside the paper, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Damian Green write that this proposal can “pass through Parliament and restore Government unity, purpose and direction”.

The Times calls the victory a “reprieve” for Mrs May, with the paper’s leader saying Brussels needed to cede some ground.

It says: “For nearly two years Brussels has been pleading with the British government to set out what it wants from a Brexit deal. Last night parliament complied.

“It (the EU) may calculate that Britain has most to lose from no deal, given that it is the UK that will face the undoubted disruption of exiting the legal arrangements that underpin its security and commercial relationships with the EU and much of the rest of the world.

“But Brussels stands to lose too, not just in terms of damage to its own trade and security co-operation with Britain, but also through the prospect of a deep rupture with a close partner and neighbour.”

The Guardian refers to potential future problems, as the EU has said the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement are not renegotiable, while the Daily Mirror says Mrs May’s deal is “back from the dead… for now”.

Inside, the Mirror’s Kevin Maguire writes: “This is phantom politics from a figure devalued faster than the pound.

“She has ignored firm replies of no, non and nein.

“We learned May’s word is worthless, with this about her survival, not Britain’s.”

Inside the Daily Telegraph, Remainer Nicky Morgan and Brexiteer Steve Baker share a column in which they talk about their compromise, saying the time for dialogue and rhetoric is over and that “it’s time to deliver”.

The so-called Malthouse compromise would see the backstop “recast” as “free trade agreement-lite” with a commitment there would be no hard border with Ireland.

At the same time, the 21-month transition period would be extended by another year to December 2021, during which EU citizens’ rights would continue and the UK would pay into the EU budget.

The MPs write: “It is possible to be a proud European nation without belonging to the EU institutions.

“This plan shows us how and we invite everyone across the Brexit divide to support this win-win compromise and move forward in our nation’s best interests.”