Vote could result in Brexit delay

London – Britain will probably have to delay its departure from the European Union (EU) if lawmakers reject the government’s proposed divorce deal in a vote next week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said yesterday.

Unless Prime Minister Theresa May can get her divorce treaty approved by the British parliament, then lawmakers will have to decide whether to delay Brexit or thrust the world’s fifth largest economy into chaos by leaving without a deal.

“The government is very clear where the will of parliament is on this. Parliament will vote not to leave the European Union without a deal,” Hammond told BBC radio. “I have a high degree of confidence about that.”

Britain is due to leave the EU in 22 days, but if lawmakers reject the deal this will put in doubt how, when or possibly even if Britain’s biggest foreign and trade policy shift in almost half a century will take place.

Hammond warned eurosceptic colleagues if they fail to back the government’s deal they face the risk of a closer economic relationship with the EU.

“We will then be in unknown territory where a consensus will have to be forged across the House of Commons and that will inevitably mean compromises being made,” he said. “The way for my colleagues to avoid that is to vote for the deal.” Lawmakers on January 15 voted 432-202 against her deal. – Reuters