UK MPs reject no-deal Brexit, to vote on 3-month delay

14 Mar '19

2 min read

British lawmakers in a March 13 vote in Parliament rejected the idea of leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal under any circumstances, which paves the way for a vote to seek a delay in Brexit until at least June end. Prime Minister Theresa May announced she will put her EU divorce plan to Parliament for a third time in near future.

The Parliament members (MPs) voted by 321 to 278 in favour of ruling out a disorderly 'no-deal' Brexit.

If MPs did not adopt the deal, Brexit could witness a lengthy delay that would see the United Kingdom elect members to the European Parliament in polls in May, said the prime minister.

Addressing the House of Commons, May said the ‘logical consequence’ of the votes was for MPs now to decide if they wanted to postpone Brexit as the EU would only support a short delay, according to global news wires.

"I do not think that would be the right outcome. But the house needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken," she said. MPs on March 12 had rejected May's deal for a second time.

The impasse in London has also reportedly frustrated Brussels, and EU leaders have now cautioned they cannot agree to a delay until MPs convey clearly what they want.

"There are only two ways to leave the EU: with or without a deal. The EU is prepared for both,” according to a spokeswoman for the European Commission.

May's deal covers such things as citizens' rights, the status of the Irish border and Britain's divorce bill from the EU. It takes Britain out of the EU single market and customs union, common fisheries and farm policies and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. It also offers a status-quo transition period in which to negotiate trade arrangements.

Britons voted by 52-48 per cent in 2016 to leave the bloc. (DS)

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