Deccan Chronicle

Divorce papers signed, Brexit battle goes to Parliament

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London, Nov. 26: U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May was starting a frantic two-week race on Monday to convince the British public, and a skeptical Parliament, to back the Brexit deal she has struck with the European Union.

May was gathering her Cabinet for a meeting hours after returning from Brussels with the divorce agreement approved by the 27 other EU leaders. She plans to address lawmakers in the House of Commons later in the day. The deal needs to be approved by Parliament, but scores of legislator­s - from both the opposition and May's governing Conservati­ve Party - say they will oppose it.

May aims to convince them that the deal “honors the referendum” in 2016 that saw Britain vote to leave the EU.

She argues that the British people are sick of endless debates about Brexit, and backing the deal will allow “us to come together again as a country whichever way we voted.” Parliament's vote is due before Christmas, likely the week of Dec. 10.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay conceded that “it's going to be a challengin­g vote.” But he said Britain would be in “choppy waters” if the deal was rejected.

Rejection by Parliament would plunge Britain into a political crisis just weeks before it is due to leave the EU on March 29.

Both Britain and the EU are adamant that the U.K. can't renegotiat­e the deal.

–AP

■ THE DEAL needs to be approved by Parliament, but legislator­s — from both the opposition and May's Conservati­ve Party — say they will oppose it.

■ MAY AIMS to convince them that the deal ‘honors the referendum’ in 2016.

■ PARLIAMENT’S VOTE is due before Christmas, likely the week of Dec. 10.

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