May: I stand ready to finish the job
BRITISH PM SAYS SHE WILL QUIT BY 2022 IN BID TO WIN NO-TRUST VOTE
British Prime Minister Theresa May told her MPs yesterday that she plans to quit before the 2022 election, as she sought their support in a confidence vote, lawmakers said.
“She said she does not intend to lead the 2022 election,” Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke told journalists after the closed-door meeting, which was followed by a confidence vote whose results were expected around 1am (UAE time). Cabinet minister Amber Rudd confirmed May’s vow not to stand in 2022, as did MP Robert Buckland.
Earlier yesterday, May vowed to win the vote of no confidence triggered by angry Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party, saying her ouster would jeopardise Britain’s divorce from the European Union.
Less than four months before the UK is due to leave on March 29, Brexit is in chaos with options ranging from a potentially disorderly no-deal departure to another referendum that could reverse it. Hours before the vote of confidence, the British prime minister said she would fight with everything she had. “I stand ready to finish the job,” she said.
The European Union meanwhile, is making renewed plans at its summit today for the United Kingdom to crash out of the political bloc without any Brexit deal – even if May survives the vote.
A change of leadership in the Conservative Party now would put our country’s future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it.”
Theresa May |
British Prime Minister
British Prime Minister Theresa May has secured indications of support from nearly 200 of her lawmakers, which would be enough to ensure she wins a confidence vote that took place late last night, based on statements made to the media and on social media.
The developments follow May’s promise last night to step down before the next parliamentary election due in 2022, hoping to win over wavering lawmakers before the vote triggered by Brexiteers in her Conservative Party.
The ballots were being counted at midnight Dubai time, with the results expected shortly afterwards.
Less than four months before Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, the country’s exit is in chaos with options ranging from a potentially disorderly “no-deal” departure to another referendum that could reverse it.
The EU is making renewed plans at its summit today for the UK to crash out of the political bloc without any Brexit deal — even if May survives the vote.
The vote of confidence was triggered after more than 48 of her MPs filed letters with the party’s 1922 Committee calling for a leadership challenge.
At a closed meeting with her lawmakers before they were due to decide her fate, May announced she would not take the party into the 2022 election.
“She did say she wouldn’t be fighting the next general election,” work and pensions minister Amber Rudd said.
Defiance
When the leadership challenge was first announced, May said: “I will contest that vote with everything I’ve got.”
May could be toppled if a simple majority of 317 Conservative lawmakers vote against her, though a large rebellion could also leave her fatally weakened.
At least 198 indicated public support for her and one bookmaker put the likelihood she would win at 89 per cent.
The beleaguered premier endured a bruising week in parliament where her government was found in contempt for failing to release legal opinions on the Brexit deal she has negotiated with the EU, and on Monday she withdrew that deal from a Commons vote, acknowledging that it would have been lost.