U.K., EU push Brexit deal ahead
May tries to quell possible rebellion within her party
LONDON — The U.K. and the European Union plowed ahead Monday with plans to have their divorce deal signed, sealed and delivered within days as British Prime Minister Theresa May waited to see whether rebel lawmakers opposed to the agreement had the numbers to challenge her leadership.
The draft agreement reached last week triggered an avalanche of criticism in Britain and left May fighting to keep her job even as British and EU negotiators raced to firm up a final deal before a weekend summit where EU leaders hope to rub- ber-stamp it.
The 585-page, legally binding withdrawal agreement is as good as complete, but Britain and the EU still need to flesh out a far less detailed seven-page declaration on their future relations.
Thedealhasinfuriated pro-brexit lawmakers in May’s Conservative Party. The Brexiteers want a clean break with the bloc and argue that the close trade ties called for in the agreement would leave Britain bound to EU rules it has no say in making.
Two Cabinet ministers, including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, resigned in protest, and rebels are trying to gather the signatures of 48 lawmakers needed to trigger a no-confidence vote.
One pro-brexit Conservative lawmaker, Simon Clarke, on Monday urged wavering colleagues to join the rebellion, saying “it is quite clear to me that the captain is driving the ship at the rocks.”
May argues that abandoning the plan, with Britain’s withdrawal just over four months away on March 29, could lead to Brexit being delayed or abandoned, or to a disorderly and economically damaging “no deal” Brexit.
But Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said his lawmakers would vote against May’s agreement and also try to block a “no-deal” exit.
Some Conservative “Brexiteers” say the prime minister should try to renegotiate the Brexit deal — something May and other EU leaders insist is impossible.
The agreement also must be approved by the European Parliament. Manfred Weber, who leads the EU legislature’s largest group, the center-right European People’s Party, said its initial assessment of the deal is “very encouraging, very positive.”