May pushes back parliamentary Brexit vote again
British Prime Minister Theresa May has pushed back the date for Parliament’s next vote on her proposals for the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union to one of the last dates possible, March 12, provoking despair from business leaders, politicians and leading EU officials.
The scheduled date for the event known as Brexit is March 29, but May has yet to get parliamentary backing for the withdrawal terms she reached with leaders of the remaining 27 EU member states in November.
She first postponed a vote in November, only to suffer a crushing loss when it eventually took place, and then tried again in December, delaying the vote until January, when she suffered the heaviest-ever parliamentary defeat by any prime minister, losing by 230 votes.
There is no sign that May’s on-going attempts to change her plans are gaining more support — quite the opposite. Last week, three Conservative MPs left the party to join a newly formed Independent Group, and there is widespread speculation that more could follow.
Despite this, May has once again delayed the vote, raising the stakes and also increasing the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, which would see the UK leave the EU without any alternative trading arrangements, having a major economic and social impact.
The European Parliament’s Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt called May’s decision “close to being one of the most reckless” decisions he had seen in politics, one which “only adds to the crippling uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the channel and for millions of citizens”.
One of Britain’s leading business groups, the Institute of Directors, said it had “lost faith in the political process” while opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party said May was “running down the clock” until a time when MPs would be forced “to choose between her bad deal and a disastrous no deal”.
The latest delay will only further increase uncertainty for businesses trying to plan how they will operate post-Brexit, given the huge disruption it could entail, as well as causing more misery for ordinary citizens who are uncertain about making such basic decisions as booking flights and holidays.
An alternative to May’s deal or No Deal is to delay Brexit, an idea the prime minister has previously refused to contemplate.
Fervent Brexit supporters, who insist Britain leave on the scheduled date, would be furious at what they would regard as a betrayal, but BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says two Cabinet ministers have said they believed some form of delay could be granted this week.
May insists there is still the chance a deal could be made in time for Brexit to happen on schedule, but as the prospect of no-deal becomes more realistic, the tone from the Cabinet is becoming softer.
“The prime minister is listening and is recognizing the fact that we have tried very, very hard in order to secure a deal,” Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
When asked if May might announce an extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process upon her return from the EU-Arab League conference in Egypt, he said “You need to wait and hear what she has to say when she gets back”.
Preparations are in full swing in Hanoi, as the capital city of Vietnam is gearing up to host the highly anticipated second summit between DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.
Talks between the two leaders are scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Sources said Kim and Trump will both arrive in the city one day ahead of the summit.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said at news conference on Monday that both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States were keen to hold their summit in Vietnam.
“Vietnam’s hosting of the highstakes talks marks its emergence as a trustworthy, responsible member of the international community that has forged peace with old enemies, and can now help others to do so”, Le said.
In preparation for the upcoming talks, security at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport has been raised to the highest level. Additional security officials have also been positioned in public and restricted areas across the capital.
Nguyen Phuong Hoa, a deputy director at Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the effects of playing hosts not only to Kim and Trump, but also to the international media, would allow the Southeast Asian country to showcase its “dynamic development with a model of successful socioeconomic innovation, friendly people, rich cultural identity and history”.
Trump and Kim held their first summit in Singapore in June. According to Nguyen, Singapore spent about $14.8 million on organizing the meetings and reaped nearly 40 times that amount in economic benefits.
“But in addition to monetary benefits, the spotlight and excitement accompanying the high-profile talks are invaluable to Vietnam,” Nguyen said.
A Reuters report, quoting a diplomatic source, said Vietnam is expected to become a mediator in the upcoming talks and to support any reforms they might usher in for the DPRK.
Those efforts could be enhanced by Vietnam’s turn as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, and a possible spell as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2021, the Reuters report said.
In addition, the summit has also become a major topic of discussion among locals of various ages and interests, drawing a wide range of responses.
It is reported that bars in Hanoi are serving drinks named “Peace Negotiations”; stores are selling T-shirts printing Trump and Kim’s portraits; and even hairdressers are offering free cuts to those eager to replicate the hairstyles of the respective leaders of the US and the DPRK.
Bu Lieu, a Hanoi resident, said he is “excited and honored” that his hometown was chosen as the host.
“I’ve been staying updated on the summit every day through television,” Bu said. “This event will also draw welcome attention to Vietnam and bring opportunities to boost the national economy.”