‘Uncertain future if Brexit deal stalls’

Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday Britain would be in uncharted territory if her Brexit deal was rejected by parliament later this month, despite little sign that she has won over sceptical legislators.

Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but May’s inability so far to get her deal for a managed exit through parliament has alarmed business leaders and investors who fear that the country is heading for a damaging no-deal Brexit.

May said the parliamentary vote would be near January 15.

She has already delayed the vote once, in December, when it became clear that she would lose unless extra reassurances from the EU were agreed.

Describing what would happen if she was defeated, May told the BBC: “We’re going to be in uncharted territory.

“I don’t think anybody can say exactly what will happen in terms of the reaction we’ll see in parliament.”

Amid uncertainty over Britain’s next steps, a poll showed that more Britons want to retain EU membership than leave, and voters want to make the final decision themselves.

May’s party itself is divided over its support for her deal, with many fearing that an insurance policy designed to avoid the re-emergence of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland could leave Britain subject to EU rules indefinitely.

One of those leading that opposition, MP Jacob ReesMogg, said it was wishful thinking that time away from parliament over Christmas could persuade him to change his mind. –