LONDON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May launched a drive on Sunday to win support for crucial upcoming Brexit legislation as a new opinion poll revealed support for her Conservative Party had plummeted in the past month.
May needs backing in the House of Commons this week for a crucial Brexit trade bill, with opponents in her own party vowing to put forward amendments as a way of opposing her newly announced soft-Brexit proposals.
In a rare live national television interview Sunday, May insisted the proposed Brexit blueprint outlined in her 98-page white paper represented a good deal for Britain with the European Union.
While her interview and an article she wrote in a major national newspaper was a "don't rock the boat' plea to Conservative rebels, May was confronted by a new poll showing her party's popularity had fallen by six points since early June to 36, four behind the main opposition Labour Party who remained at 40 points.
The Observer newspaper said Labour has opened up its biggest poll lead over the Conservatives since shortly after last June's snap general election.
The newspaper blamed the drop on the government's chaotic handling of Brexit and a sudden revival of support for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). The poll by Opinium also said May's leadership ratings have also nosedived.
In her television interview, May also revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump had advised her to "sue" the European Union.
In a press conference Friday at Chequers, May's country retreat, Trump said he had offered advice to May about Brexit, leaving journalists wondering what that advice had been.
May said she laughed off Trump's suggestion and said instead she has engaged the EU with negotiations and come up with a Chequers deal which delivers on the Brexit people in Britain had voted for.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, May said her proposals enabled Britain to build new economic and security partnerships with the EU and trade deals with other countries.
"This is the scale of the opportunity before us and my message to the country this weekend is simple: we need to keep our eyes on the prize. If we don't, we risk ending up with no Brexit at all," said May.
With the crucial European Trade Bill returning this week to the House of Commons, May said there are some planning to vote for amendments that would tie Britain to a permanent customs union with the EU.
Others, added May, are planning to try and bring down a bill that is essential in enabling Britain to prepare for life outside the EU, saying: "This would put at risk our ability to make the necessary preparations for a no deal."
She warned it could lead to a damaging and disorderly Brexit, adding: "As I have said many times, we can get a good deal and that is what is best for Britain. But we should also prepare for no deal. Not to do so would be grossly irresponsible. So I urge Parliamentarians on all sides to consider this when they are voting."
In a message aimed at rebel politicians, May said it would be the ultimate betrayal of the Brexit vote.
"This is a time to be practical and pragmatic, backing our plan to get Britain out of the EU on March 29 next year and delivering for the British people.," said May.
She added she was yet to see a workable alternative future trading arrangement that would deliver on the commitments to Northern Ireland, preserve the constitutional integrity of Britain and deliver on the result of the referendum.
"Our Brexit deal for Britain achieves exactly this, and it can work. So I believe we need to come together behind our plan."
The Mail on Sunday said Conservative Brexiteers are sharpening their knives for the prime minister amid swirling rumours that they will oust her as leader unless she abandons her "soft Brexit" plans.
Lord Peter Mandelson, former business secretary and a former EU trade commissioner, said in the Observer newspaper: "You are drawn to the conclusion that it would be better to be fully in the economic structures of the EU or out of them altogether, and if you are in them, better to stay in the EU itself as this provides a seat at the table where the rules are made."
May concluded her message: "I say to the British people today: I am not going to Brussels to compromise our national interest; I am going to fight for it. I am going to fight for our Brexit deal because it is the right deal for Britain."
