May seeks Brexit delay after third vote on her deal is derailed

[webfact]

May seeks Brexit delay after third vote on her deal is derailed

By Guy Faulconbridge and Elizabeth Piper

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain March 14, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May will ask the European Union to delay Brexit by at least three months after her plan to hold a third vote on her fraught divorce deal was thrown into disarray by a surprise intervention from the speaker of parliament.

 

Nearly three years after Britain voted narrowly to leave the EU, its departure is uncertain and increasingly impatient European capitals are pressing May to spell out how she plans to resolve the crisis before they can agree to an extension.

 

Possible eventual outcomes still range from a long postponement, leaving with May's deal, a disruptive exit without a deal, or even another referendum.

 

Ten days before the March 29 exit date that May set, and two days before a crucial EU summit, she was on Tuesday writing to European Council President Donald Tusk to ask for a delay, her spokesman said. He did not disclose how long a delay she would seek, but said she believed it should be as short as possible.

 

May had earlier warned parliament that if it did not ratify her deal, she would ask to delay Brexit beyond June 30, a step that Brexit's advocates fear would endanger the entire divorce.

 

Other EU member states were discussing two main options: a delay of two to three months, if May persuades them she can clinch a deal at home, or much longer if she accepts that radical reworking of the accord is needed.

 

The EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said an extension would only make sense if it increased the chances of May's deal being ratified by Britain's House of Commons.

 

He said the economic and political costs of a delay for the EU had to be weighed against the potential benefits.

 

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Britain must present a detailed plan on how to push the May's deal through parliament in order to get EU approval for an extension,

 

An official in the office of President Emmanuel Macron went further, saying France was ready to veto any British request for a Brexit delay that delays matters without offering a way out of the present deadlock, or imperils European Union institutions.

 

The BBC's political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, said May would ask for an extension until June 30 - which could give her another chance to pass her deal - with the option of a delay of up to two years.

 

BREXIT CRISIS

In a move that added to the sense of crisis in London, speaker John Bercow ruled on Monday that May's deal had to be substantially different to be voted on again by parliament.

 

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said a vote this week was now less likely, adding: "This is a moment of crisis for our country." But he indicated the government still planned a third vote.

 

British lawmakers will in any case be able to debate ways to break the Brexit impasse from Monday, May's spokesman said.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned time was running out, saying: "I will fight until the last minute of the time to March 29 for an orderly exit. We haven't got a lot of time for that."

 

Her foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said: "If more time is needed, it's always better to do another round than a no-deal Brexit."

 

Tusk and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar agreed after talks that they must now "see what proposals emerge from London" before the EU summit on Thursday and Friday.

 

If Britain left with no deal, it would tumble out of the EU's 500-million-strong single market and customs union overnight, falling back on World Trade Organisation rules that could mean many import and export tariffs. It would face the prospect of manufacturing and financial market disruptions, sharp economic contraction and border hold-ups..

 

However, most senior EU figures, while exasperated by Britain's dithering, have no appetite for pushing it out in 10 days' time without a deal.

 

DIVISIONS

The 2016 referendum, which produced a 52-48 percent vote to leave, exposed deep divisions in British society and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism and British identity.

 

And now Britons' patience with negotiations may be running out. In a Comres survey in the Telegraph newspaper, nearly half of respondents said Britain would ultimately thrive if it left without a deal.

 

The pressure to come up with changes means May is likely to get only one more chance to put her deal to a vote.

 

Bercow said his ruling did not stop the government reshaping its proposal, or having parliament vote to overrule him.

 

Brexit Secretary Barclay said a change in context might be sufficient to meet Bercow's test.

 

But even before Bercow's intervention, May was having difficulty boosting support for her deal - which would aim to secure close trade and security ties with the EU while leaving its formal structures - after it was defeated by 230 votes on Jan. 15, and by 149 votes on March 12.

 

She needs to win over at least 75 lawmakers - dozens of rebels in her own Conservative Party, some Labour lawmakers, and the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up her minority government.

 

The DUP said it was unlikely to support the deal in a third vote unless it was convinced it can pass, HuffPost reported.

 

In addition to regulating the terms of departure, May's deal promises to take Britain out of the EU single market and customs union, common fisheries and farm policies and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice at the end of a status-quo period in which new trade arrangements would be agreed.

 

(Additional reporting by Thomas Escritt, Alastair Macdonald and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge, Michael Holden and Giles Elgood; Editing by Kevin Liffey/Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-20

[quandow]

I don't get it. Didn't the citizens vote FOR Brexit? If the vote passed but the politicians don't honor the decision made by the people, then why bother having voted in the first place?

[z42]

This is such a mess, it's actually embarrassing. The EU has said it won't negotiate any further with regards to a deal, so the UK parliament speaker was right in snubbing May's desperate attempt to get an already terrible deal through at any cost.

Another referendum with a much clearer picture of workable / actionable outcomes is the best way.

 

I still believe that leave would win, nothing the EU has done lately will have done much to change previous leavers' minds

[SheungWan]

41 minutes ago, quandow said:

I don't get it. Didn't the citizens vote FOR Brexit? If the vote passed but the politicians don't honor the decision made by the people, then why bother having voted in the first place?

Correct. You don't get it.

[SheungWan]

22 minutes ago, z42 said:

This is such a mess, it's actually embarrassing. The EU has said it won't negotiate any further with regards to a deal, so the UK parliament speaker was right in snubbing May's desperate attempt to get an already terrible deal through at any cost.

Another referendum with a much clearer picture of workable / actionable outcomes is the best way.

I still believe that leave would win, nothing the EU has done lately will have done much to change previous leavers' minds

Go for it.

[Laughing Gravy]

19 minutes ago, z42 said:

Another referendum with a much clearer picture of workable / actionable outcomes is the best way.

 

I still believe that leave would win, nothing the EU has done lately will have done much to change previous leavers' minds

Your first sentence. I disagree with, as the politicians just don't want us to leave the EU. You can't get clearer than leave or remain. That was on the first ballot paper plus with David Cameron telling everyone, what leave actually was. Leaving the CU, SM, ECJ.

 

No doubt those posters will try and defend it and pretend it didn't happen but the are lying to themselves and everyone else.

 

I agree with the second statement but would really show democracy isn't being upheld. it would be EU democracy, vote until we get the right answer.

[samran]

47 minutes ago, quandow said:

I don't get it. Didn't the citizens vote FOR Brexit? If the vote passed but the politicians don't honor the decision made by the people, then why bother having voted in the first place?

They were also told that a new trade agreement with the EU would be one of the easiest things in the world to negotiate. 

[SheungWan]

1 minute ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Your first sentence. I disagree with, as the politicians just don't want us to leave the EU. You can't get clearer than leave or remain. That was on the first ballot paper plus with David Cameron telling everyone, what leave actually was. Leaving the CU, SM, ECJ.

No doubt those posters will try and defend it and pretend it didn't happen but the are lying to themselves and everyone else.

I agree with the second statement but would really show democracy isn't being upheld. it would be EU democracy, vote until we get the right answer.

The one big lie is the Hard Brexiteer one that the referendum result = no-deal and nothing else.

[vogie]

16 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Go for it.

1. Remainers keep telling us that referendums are only advisory.

2. The government will only implement the decision of a referendum if the result is remain. 

3. Only the losers want a referendum.

4. Should there be another referendum and leave wins again, do you think anybody in their right mind would trust our self serving politicians to implement it.

 

So you see Your Honour, all another referendum would do is rub salt into the already festering sores of democracy. I rest my case.

[SheungWan]

1 minute ago, vogie said:

1. Remainers keep telling us that referendums are only advisory.

2. The government will only implement the decision of a referendum if the result is remain. 

3. Only the losers want a referendum.

4. Should there be another referendum and leave wins again, do you think anybody in their right mind would trust our self serving politicians to implement it.

So you see Your Honour, all another referendum would do is rub salt into the already festering sores of democracy. I rest my case.

We could make up a similar bogus list for 5-10.

[vogie]

1 minute ago, SheungWan said:

We could make up a similar bogus list for 5-10.

Go for it.

[mrmicbkktxl]

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Your first sentence. I disagree with, as the politicians just don't want us to leave the EU. You can't get clearer than leave or remain. That was on the first ballot paper plus with David Cameron telling everyone, what leave actually was. Leaving the CU, SM, ECJ.

 

No doubt those posters will try and defend it and pretend it didn't happen but the are lying to themselves and everyone else.

 

I agree with the second statement but would really show democracy isn't being upheld. it would be EU democracy, vote until we get the right answer.

I  think a new referendum would be fair now that most of the people know the consequences of a brexit.In a new referendum the question should be 'stay or leave without a deal" and set a date for the brexit, for example two months after the referendum.Three years ago most of leavers didn't know the impact of a brexit,if they still vote for leave then be it

[sammieuk1]

You put your 29th in your 29th out in out in out and shake it all about ????

[baansgr]

2 hours ago, quandow said:

I don't get it. Didn't the citizens vote FOR Brexit? If the vote passed but the politicians don't honor the decision made by the people, then why bother having voted in the first place?

My mates, mates brother from a bar in Jomtien that worked for MI5 said underlying forces threatened MPs not to leave, so its never gonna happen

[puipuitom]

3 hours ago, quandow said:

I don't get it. Didn't the citizens vote FOR Brexit? If the vote passed but the politicians don't honor the decision made by the people, then why bother having voted in the first place?

yes, a landslide overwhelmingly dream-majority of 51,88 %, thanks to Boris the Liar Johnson c.s, while only a mare 48,11% voted for "remain", and 27,6 % were too stupid and too lazy to vote.

But.. the British forget.. you need two for tango, so.. also the EU.

For me.. we NEVER had to allow the UK to join in, why we did not follow Charles de Gaulle... so...throw the British out.. 29 March 23:00 GMT.

Happily... 350 million pounds per week for the NHS... so.. you all are extremely happy.

[Kieran00001]

3 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Your first sentence. I disagree with, as the politicians just don't want us to leave the EU. You can't get clearer than leave or remain. That was on the first ballot paper plus with David Cameron telling everyone, what leave actually was. Leaving the CU, SM, ECJ.

 

No doubt those posters will try and defend it and pretend it didn't happen but the are lying to themselves and everyone else.

 

I agree with the second statement but would really show democracy isn't being upheld. it would be EU democracy, vote until we get the right answer.

 

Who was it that said, "To repeat, absolutely nobody is talking about threatening our place in the single market"??

[metisdead]

Some inflammatory posts have been removed. 

[trevoromgh]

Latest News from 10, Downing Street

 

Larry the cat has been appointed the new UK Brexit Negotiator on the grounds he stands more chance in getting things right than anyone else in the establishment.

 

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, puipuitom said:

yes, a landslide overwhelmingly dream-majority of 51,88 %, thanks to Boris the Liar Johnson c.s, while only a mare 48,11% voted for "remain", and 27,6 % were too stupid and too lazy to vote.

But.. the British forget.. you need two for tango, so.. also the EU.

For me.. we NEVER had to allow the UK to join in, why we did not follow Charles de Gaulle... so...throw the British out.. 29 March 23:00 GMT.

Happily... 350 million pounds per week for the NHS... so.. you all are extremely happy.

Did you mention (B)-Liar?

 

[luckyluke]

In 1963 the U.K. asked to be a member of the E.E.C., it was vetoed by de Gaulle. 

In 1967 the U.K. implored again, but again vetoed by de Gaulle. 

Finally the third "begging" was accepted. 

 

What we have now, 52% of the U.K. voters want to leave the E.U..

 

The government and parliament doesn't seem to consider that enough/worthwhile;

and "beseech" again, this time the E.U..

 

Considered as a "miserable" attitude, by many, in the U.K. & Europe. 

 

[Thingamabob]

If there is another vote on this it should be between, on the one hand, 'May's Deal' or. on the other hand, 'No Deal'.

 

'Remain' already eliminated in the earlier referendum.

 

 

[whimsicalmike]

11 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

In 1963 the U.K. asked to be a member of the E.E.C., it was vetoed by de Gaulle. 

In 1967 the U.K. implored again, but again vetoed by de Gaulle. 

Finally the third "begging" was accepted. 

 

What we have now, 52% of the U.K. voters want to leave the E.U..

 

The government and parliament doesn't seem to consider that enough/worthwhile;

and "beseech" again, this time the E.U..

 

Considered as a "miserable" attitude, by many, in the U.K. & Europe. 

 

The frogs will miss an opportunity to kick the poms in the ass if they agree to an extension.

Will that ever happen, i don't think so, they love their little power trips.

[luckyluke]

^

We Belgians, being considered by most "dominant" countries as "insignifiant", are rather amused by this actual pandemonium. 

[mrmicbkktxl]

27 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

If there is another vote on this it should be between, on the one hand, 'May's Deal' or. on the other hand, 'No Deal'.

 

'Remain' already eliminated in the earlier referendum.

 

 

Eliminated because they didn't know what consequences a Brexit will have

[luckyluke]

Based on what I read here on different topics, I concluded (personal opinion of course) : if Brexit is a failure, who will be to blame?

Absolutely not : Leave voters-Brexiters.

Rather : Remainers, U.K government/parliament.

Unreservedly : The E.U.. 

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

thrown into disarray by a surprise intervention from the speaker of parliament.

It should have not been a surprise to anyone who knew the rules, especially the PM!

In fact the Speaker did not really intervene.

He quite politely informed the PM that the motion to vote a third time on the same Brexit deal must first get the Speaker's approval. And he gave advance notice that the deal must be substantially different from the Deal that had been previously voted on by parliament. If May presents the same Deal to the Speaker for approval, THEN he will intervene by denying it for a vote. 

[Loiner]

May’s surrender deal would have been blown out of the water again anyway. Her plan has always been to Remain, but by BRINO.
Now she has no plan, what can she take to Brussels? The EU says she must have a plan to request an extension of Article 50. Even with an eleventh hour EU capitulation, it’s not certain there would be a unanimous vote for an extension.
She returns home on Friday with no plan and no extension. What next - the default is No Deal.
The govt is already preparing for it.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1102542/Brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-no-deal-eu-uk-stephen-barclay-operation-yellowhammer
No deal Brexit BOMBSHELL: No deal plan WILL be implemented if no delay agreed by Monday


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[nauseus]

5 hours ago, SheungWan said:

The one big lie is the Hard Brexiteer one that the referendum result = no-deal and nothing else.

BS

[nauseus]

4 hours ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

I  think a new referendum would be fair now that most of the people know the consequences of a brexit.In a new referendum the question should be 'stay or leave without a deal" and set a date for the brexit, for example two months after the referendum.Three years ago most of leavers didn't know the impact of a brexit,if they still vote for leave then be it

We already had that one, in effect. No need, thanks. 

[Kieran00001]

9 minutes ago, nauseus said:

BS

 

Get ready to melt snowflakes, Brexit ain't happening!