UK govt to publish Brexit strategy on Thursday: May

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May has told Parliament that her government will be publishing a White Paper on its Brexit strategy tomorrow.

In response to a query by Conservative MP Maria Miller, May told the House of Commons, “I can inform my Right Hon Friend and the House that that White Paper will be published tomorrow.”

Her remarks came ahead of a vote by British MPS to approve the first stage of a bill empowering May to start pulling Britain out of the European Union.

The government is expected to win, with most Conservative and Labour MPS set to back its European Union Bill.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faces a rebellion by some on his side, while the Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats are also promising to oppose ministers.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, May confirmed the White Paper setting out her Brexit strategy would be published tomorrow.

The official document, which will include a desire to secure the status of EU nationals in the UK and Britons abroad, is separate to the Brexit bill which will allow May to begin formal talks under trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

On Monday, politicians made impassioned speeches for and against the bill.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said MPS had to implement a decision made by the people in last June’s referendum, which the Leave campaign won by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent.

Doing otherwise would be viewed “dimly”, he warned.

Corbyn has imposed a three-line whip - the strongest possible sanction - on his MPS to back the bill. Two shadow ministers have quit Labour’s front bench in order to oppose the bill, while MPS Stephen Timms and Lyn Brown told the Commons they would also vote against it.