Prime Minister Theresa May arrived at the EU HQ on Thursday for the start of the summit.
Speaking to reporters, the prime minister spoke of the “difficult” day experienced on Wednesday and how she has no plans to lead the party into the next general election.
“Can I just say a word about yesterday, which was a difficult day. And I’m grateful for the significant support I had from colleagues. But I have also heard loud and clear the concerns of those who didn’t feel able to support me. And I know the concerns there are in the House of Commons about this issue of the backstop, that they do not want it to be permanent,” said May, speaking in Brussels.
“And what I will be talking to European leaders about here today is what we need to get this deal over the line. I’ve already met Leo Varadkar, I will be addressing the European Council later, and I will be showing the legal and political assurances that I believe we need to assuage the concerns that members of parliament have on this issue.”
Ahead of the summit, May said that she did not expect an immediate breakthrough at the meeting.
“It’s in the best interest of both sides, the UK and the EU to get the deal over the line, to agree a deal – but I recognise the strength of concern in the House of Commons and that’s what I will be putting to colleagues today,” she told reporters.
“I don’t expect an immediate breakthrough, but what I do hope is that we can start to work as quickly as possible on the assurances that are necessary.”
This week saw May survive the vote of confidence in her leadership. She won by 200 to 117 with 63% of the vote.