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LONDON, Dec. 14-- British Prime Minister Theresa May returned almost empty handed from Brussels Friday, knowing that on Monday she faces trying to convince MPs at Westminster that her under-fire Brexit deal can still succeed. With just over 100 days to go before Britain ends its 46 year membership of the European Union (EU), a future UK-EU trading relationship is far from winning the green light. NO GUARANTEES ON BACKSTOP May returned to 10 Downing Street Friday night after a so-called charm offensive to win more support for the Brexit deal she has brokered with the EU. Her reassuring words delivered at a press conference in Belgian capital failed to win over critical MPs at Westminster, with concerns that the EU has insisted that the Irish border safety net proposals, known as the backstop, must remain as part of the deal. May was unable to win any cast-iron guarantees that the backstop would never be applied. Both sides agreed that efforts will be made in a near two-year implementation period to reach a permanent future trade deal. If that fails, the EU has said even for a temporary period, Northern Ireland would have to follow EU rules rather than build a hard border with the neighboring Irish Republic. The Democratic Union Party (DUP) which helps give May's minority government at Westminster its slender majority, has insisted it will not accept a backstop. Their main concern is that it would mean different rules are applying in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the British mainland. | 
