UK PM May defeated in parliament, lawmakers create new obstacle to no-deal Brexit

LONDON, (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government suffered a defeat in parliament yesterday when lawmakers who oppose leaving the European Union without an accord won a vote that created a new obstacle to a nodeal Brexit.

The 303 to 296 defeat means that the government needs explicit parliamentary approval to leave the EU without a deal before it can use certain powers relating to taxation law.

The defeat highlights May’s weak position as leader of a minority government, a divided party, and a critical parliament just days before she is due to hold a pivotal vote on whether to approve the Brexit deal she has negotiated with the EU.

“This vote is an important step to prevent a no-deal Brexit. It shows that there is no majority in Parliament, the Cabinet or the country for crashing out of the EU without an agreement,” opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party said.

The government downplayed the significance of its defeat.

“This amendment does not change the fact that the UK is leaving the EU on the 29 March, and it will not stop the government from collecting tax,” a spokesman said.

“We will work with Parliament to make sure that the tax system works smoothly in all Brexit scenarios.”

With less than three months until Britain leaves the EU, May is struggling to win approval for her Brexit deal.

A no-deal exit is the default scenario if May’s deal is rejected, and the prospect of possible supply chain disruption, medicine shortage and blocked ports has in recent weeks pushed companies and the government to ramp up contingency planning.

Some Brexit supporters say a no-deal exit is the only way to truly leave the bloc and that warnings of the economic consequences have been overblown to drum up support for May’s plan.

But, a majority of lawmakers from across the political spectrum opposed to a no-deal exit have now established their political significance and promised to keep making it harder for the government to leave without a deal.

Opposition lawmaker Yvette Cooper said it showed the strength of concern about the dangers a no-deal Brexit could pose to manufacturers, jobs, food prices, policing and security.

“It is a warning to the Government not to drift into No Deal at the end of March by accident or through brinkmanship,” she said.