UK’s May under fire as MPs return from break

london — British Prime Minister Theresa May faced renewed pressure on Tuesday from her restive Conservative Party to resign as lawmakers returned to Parliament — and to Brexit wrangling — after an 11-day Easter break.

Britain’s European Union exit, long scheduled to take place last month, has been delayed as the government tries to win Parliament’s backing for a divorce agreement. The bloc has given Britain until October 31 to ratify an agreement or leave the 28-nation EU without a deal to smooth the way.

Most economists believe that a no-deal Brexit would plunge Britain into recession as customs checks take effect at UK ports and tariffs are imposed on trade between the UK and the EU.

Parliament has thrice rejected the divorce agreement that May struck with the bloc last year, amid opposition from pro-Brexit lawmakers.

Talks on striking a compromise between May’s government and the main opposition Labour Party resumed Tuesday. But several days of talks earlier this month failed to produce a breakthrough, and there were few signs of progress, as each side accused the other of dragging its feet. “We’ll see how it goes but the government really does need to move on a bit,” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said. Downing St.

spokesman James Slack said May told her Cabinet that “progress needed to be made urgently as it was vital to deliver on the result of the referendum and for the UK to leave the European Union as soon as possible.” —