BREXIT: May gets a two-week reprieve
UK PM returned to Britain on Friday vowing to make “every effort” to win over MPs opposed to her EU divorce deal, after securing a delay to Brexit from EU leaders. She faces daunting odds to persuade lawmakers to back a plan they have rejected twice by a new April 12 deadline. The graphic explains how the issue might play out in the coming weeks and months.
This is perhaps the last chance for Britain to say what it wants for the future. More than ever, this is in the hands of the British parliament
Charles Michel, Belgium PM
We are now at the moment of decision. I will make every effort to ensure that we are able to leave with a deal
Theresa May, British PM
brussels — British Prime Minister Theresa May returned on Friday to her mammoth struggle of persuading a deeply divided parliament to back her Brexit deal after an EU summit granted her more time but little to help change minds in London.
After a bruising day in Brussels, May secured a two-week reprieve to try to get the deal she negotiated in November through parliament at a third attempt or face a potentially chaotic departure from the European Union on April 12.
But while the Brexit deadline has moved — from an original March 29 deadline — parliament has not.
In fact, incensed by comments from May that pinned the blame for Britain’s Brexit chaos on them, many lawmakers have hardened their resistance to the deal she will bring back before them next week.
In an appeal to the very same lawmakers she criticised on Wednesday, May said in the early hours of Friday: “I know MPs (members of parliament) on all sides of the debate have passionate views, and I respect those different positions.”
“Last night I expressed my frustration. I know that MPs are frustrated too. They have difficult jobs to do. I hope we can all agree, we are now at the moment of decision.”
She needs to change the minds of 75 more lawmakers to get her deal through after it was overwhelmingly rejected twice before.
EU leaders were keen to increase the pressure on Britain’s parliament, which is also expected next week to try to wrest control of the Brexit process from May’s government.
Arriving for a second day of the
I know MPs on all sides of the debate have passionate views, and I respect those different positions
Theresa May, British PM
EU summit on Friday, Belgium’s prime minister said he hoped for a rational decision by British lawmakers, while warning that preparations for a no-deal, in which Britain would face sudden trade barriers and restrictions on business, were still underway.
“This is perhaps the last chance for Britain to say what it wants for the future,” Charles Michel told reporters. “More than ever, this is in the hands of the British parliament.” —