Theresa May to offer MPs no-deal Brexit vote
British Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs she would allow them the opportunity to back a ‘short, limited delay’ to Brexit, if they again reject her deal
LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May has offered MPs a vote to delay Brexit and avoid leaving the EU without a deal, in a dramatic change of policy designed to prevent a new wave of Cabinet resignations.
The prime minister told MPs she would allow them the opportunity to back a “short, limited delay” to Brexit, if they again reject her deal.
May said she will put her withdrawal agreement — including any changes she has agreed with the European Union — to a meaningful vote on 12 March.
The prime minister told the Commons on Tuesday that in the event MPs reject her deal for a second time, they will be given a series of binding votes on whether to leave the EU without a deal, or delay Brexit.
“The UK will only leave without a deal on 29th March if there is explicit assent in the House for that outcome,” May told MPs.
She said that if her deal is rejected for a second time then MPs would be offered a vote on March 13 on leaving without a deal and then a subsequent vote on March 14 on whether to delay Brexit.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the prime minister of putting jobs at risk by refusing to make it clear that she would prevent a no-deal Brexit.
“Every delay every bit of badly made fudge just intensifies the uncertainty for industry, business, investment being held back, jobs being lost and more jobs being putting at risk,” he said.
“The real life consequences of the Prime Minister’s cynical tactics are being felt across the country. Factories relocating abroad, jobs being lost, investment being cancelled. Thousands of workers at sites across Britain’s towns and cities are hearing rumours and fearing the worst.”
May’s concession came after the UK government delayed the so-called meaningful vote on her Brexit deal this week.