U.K. Parliament moves to make ‘no-deal’ Brexit more difficult

LONDON — Britain’s Parliament narrowly approved financial roadblocks that are designed to make it more difficult for the country to leave the European Union without a Brexit deal, giving a defeat to Prime Minister Theresa May’s government Tuesday.

Lawmakers voted 303296 to back an amendment that would prohibit government spending on “nodeal” Brexit preparations that Parliament didn’t authorize.

The vote in the House of Commons illustrated the substantial opposition to the real possibility of Britain withdrawing from the EU on March 29 without a divorce agreement in place on the terms of its relationship with the remaining members.

Business leaders and some economists have predicted disruption in the lives of U.K. residents and financial damage if that happens. Without a trade deal in place, Britain could see tariffs slapped on its exports to the EU and possible food and medicine shortages.

But Britain has been headed in that direction because May has so far been unable to persuade a majority in Parliament to back the divorce deal her government negotiated with the EU.

Concerns about the risks of a “no-deal” scenario has prompted talk of postponing Brexit day and even calling another referendum on Britain’s EU membership.

Earlier Tuesday, a government minister ruled out an extension to Britain’s March 29 date for leaving the EU. The date was based on the two-year breakup period that started when May gave official notice Britain was pulling out.