WITH the UK moving ever closer to Brexit day next month, it’s still anyone’s guess as to what arrangement, if any, will come into force from March 29.

Opinions on the issue – the biggest to confront our country since the Second World War – are split across the country’s political parties.

That was demonstrated in no small part this week by seven Labour MPs quitting the party over Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of several issues – Brexit being one of them.

In Prime Minister Theresa May’s own Conservative party, she and her ruling cabinet are adamant we will leave the EU with her deal, adapted or not.

But there are also Tory MPs such as Dominic Grieve and Guto Bebb who think remaining in the union would be the best option, while others, led by the so-called European Research Group, want no deal.

Merseyside was split in June 2016’s Referendum, with Liverpool, Wirral and Sefton voting to remain, and Knowsley and St Helens voting leave.

With each of the five council areas dominated by Labour, there are Tory politicians dotted around the region, so we asked some of them for their views on how they think the party is managing Brexit – and what should happen next.

Like the national picture, opinion is firmly divided.

Cllr Ian Lewis, leader of Wirral’s 21 Conservative members

Cllr Lewis, who represents the Wallasey ward on Wirral Council, is a prominent Brexiteer who campaigned to leave in 2016.

He said the near-on three years since the referendum have made him even more certain that the country should leave the EU.

He explained: “Back then I, and many others, from all parties and from none, campaigned to Leave. Nothing that has happened since has changed my mind. If anything, the arrogance of the EU elite since then has hardened my view that we are better off out.”

Rejecting those who are calling for a People’s Vote for a final say on Brexit, he added: “We had a so-called ‘People’s Vote’ in 2016 and more people voted to Leave than have ever voted for anything or any Party before. People who had given up on politics and politicians stuck two fingers up to the establishment and made their voices heard.”

So with the UK set to leave the EU on March 29, does Cllr Lewis think a no-deal Brexit would be a disaster – or nothing to fear?

He said: “With 40 days or so until we leave the EU, the time for re-running the arguments of the 2016 Referendum has run out. The EU negotiators who thought they were being so clever are now facing a no-deal Brexit and the biggest loser from that will be the EU itself.”

Damien Moore, MP for Southport

Also a Brexiter, Mr Moore is adamant the UK must “respect the result of the referendum”, and leave the single market and customs union. He also maintained there will not be another vote, and to call one would “greatly damage our democracy”.

He voted against Mrs May’s Brexit deal last month, but still wants her to renegotiate with Brussels to get further assurances over the controversial Irish backstop.

He said: “I do not feel that her agreement adequately preserves the integrity of our United Kingdom and so I will not be supporting her deal in its current form.”

The integrity of our union is precious, and nothing should undermine it. In its current form, the Withdrawal Agreement threatens our union and our rights as a sovereign nation. The proposed backstop will if ever implemented, trap Northern Ireland within a customs union with the EU and keep Britain in an arrangement without any recourse to leave without the EU first agreeing.”

Instead, he wants the UK to have the option to “unilaterally leave [the backstop] whenever we choose”.

He added: “I do believe that it is in the national interest and the EU’s interest for Britain to leave with a deal. It is my sincere hope therefore, that the Prime Minister returns to Brussels to renegotiate.

“Only the Conservative Party will deliver Brexit. Whether an agreement is reached or not, under the Conservative Party Britain will leave the European Union on March 29.”

Wirral councillor and ex-parliamentary candidate for Wirral South, Adam Sykes

Cllr Adam Sykes, who has been critical of the national party in the past, claiming after the 2017 General Election there was “no way” Ms May could continue as Prime Minister, also has strong views.

He stood for the party in that election, and was thought by many to have a good chance of ousting Labour incumbent Alison McGovern, but ended up losing as Ms McGovern increased her majority.

A renowned Remainer, Cllr Sykes earlier this month wrote an article on Medium.com urging others to “turn our back on fear, and set out a positive case for the UK’s continued membership of the EU”.

He said: “Brexit is a contradiction that Parliament has been unable to resolve. Europe will not concede any more, to Mrs May, no matter how many times the same red lines are reiterated.

“A no-deal outcome would be a catastrophe for the UK, it needs to be taken off the table, and we need to start getting real. No party is coming off well from the current political state that we are in.

“Indeed, this isn’t a party political issue. We need some brave people to stand up, to show real patriotism, and do what is right for the country.

“Ultimately, I can see that the people will need to take back control of Brexit through a People’s Vote.

“We must reunite our nation with a positive message and vision for a renewed Britain. British voices should be at the heart of Europe, sharing our values.”