British parliament says yes to Brexit

UNCERTAINTY: SCOTS THREATEN NEW REFERENDUM

Brits will have to pay a hefty divorce bill and indications are the economy could suffer.

London

British Prime Minister Theresa May made a major statement to parliament yesterday, just hours after MPs enabled her to start the withdrawal process from the European Union (EU).

After weeks of wrangling, lawmakers on Monday finally granted May the right to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, which would start the two-year divorce process with the bloc.

The Bill still requires the formality of royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II to become law.

The government is reportedly looking to do so after a March 25 summit in Rome to mark the EU’s 60th birthday.

The victory of May’s government in parliament on Monday, however, was marred by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlining plans to hold a second independence referendum – an indication of the obstacles that lie ahead.

Warnings from Brussels that Britain will have to pay a hefty divorce bill and face tough conditions for leaving have added to the uncertainty, as have warning signs that Brexit is hitting the economy.

Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, there are fears that leaving the EU could see a return to a hard customs border with Ireland, antagonising nationalists and threatening a hard-won peace in the region.

May on Monday condemned the idea of another referendum, saying most Scots did not want it.

The British government has the power to block Sturgeon’s request, but this would likely only energise the Scottish nationalists’ cause.

In the first vote in 2014, Scots voted by 55% to reject separation. However, polls suggest a new referendum would be closer. During the EU referendum, 62% of the Scottish electorate voted to remain, compared to only 48% for the whole of Britain.

A eurosceptic press in London has lashed out at Sturgeon’s referendum plans, with the Daily Mail, Britain’s second biggest-selling newspaper, writing “Hands off our Brexit, Nicola!”, while the Daily Telegraph described the Scottish National Party leader’s move as “The new battle for Britain”. –

The Bill still requires the formality of royal assent from the Queen