MORECAMBE and Lunsedale MP David Morris pleaded with Labour to back Theresa May's Brexit deal to ensure "we can all move on with our lives".

Conservative Mr Morris intervened on shadow chancellor John McDonnell to make the offer, despite Labour's clear opposition to what the Government has agreed with the EU.

His remarks came before Tory former minister Sir Nicholas Soames, who acknowledged he was a "staunch Remainer" during the referendum, urged colleagues to vote for the Withdrawal Agreement as it "gives all sides of the argument something" despite leaving no-one satisfied.

Sir Nicholas warned a no-deal Brexit or second referendum would cause "damaging uncertainty" for the economy, "threaten the jobs and lives" of their constituents and result in the House of Commons earning the "undying contempt" of the British people.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Morris opted to intervene on Mr McDonnell and said: "Speaking apolitically and being measured myself, would he consider please voting for this deal so we can all move on with our lives?"

Mr McDonnell said he was "grateful" for the intervention and recognised the MP's "valid point" but declined to offer support for Mrs May's deal.

As the debate progressed, Sir Nicholas warned "no different deal is going to miraculously appear" if MPs voted against the Withdrawal Agreement.

He also said a no-deal Brexit would be a "disaster" for the UK.

Sir Nicholas told MPs: "I remain deeply anxious that a no deal Brexit or a second referendum, which would likely be inconclusive after a vicious and harsh campaign, might push Britain into the kind of loathsome and hateful, partisan bitterness that so now disfigures American public life, and is so damaging to its democratic settlement and political discourse.

"We do not want that in this country."

He acknowledged there are "years of hard and very difficult" negotiations ahead if the deal is backed, and later noted most people "devoutly wish us to get this done" and focus on other issues such as schools, policing and transport.

Sir Nicholas also said he was "truly sad beyond words" that our "wonderful country" has reached this point before adding: "I feel very strongly that we really must not reject this agreement and go back to square one, which would mean perhaps another deeply divisive and very unhappy referendum.

"In turn that would mean the most damaging uncertainty economically, continuing division which will inevitably threaten the jobs and lives of our constituents and investment in our economy, and I am above all afraid earn this House the undying contempt of the British people for not having the courage and vision to grasp the deal, however we may feel about it, in the interests of the greater good."