Over an agonising two-hour grilling, British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to convince exasperated European leaders she has any plan to deliver an orderly Brexit if MPs vote her withdrawal deal down.

Tightlipped and evasive, she parried questions until EU chiefs asked her to leave Thursday's summit meeting and embarked on a negotiation among themselves to draw up a new Brexit timetable.

"British politicians are today incapable of implementing what the people asked for," France's President Emmanuel Macron declared.&nbsp;

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was "at the end of his tether", one diplomatic source told AFP.&nbsp;

May's government is in crisis and she has proved unable to muster a majority to approve the Brexit withdrawal deal struck at a previous Brussels get-together in November.

With a potentially catastrophic "no deal" departure looming on March 29, the other 27 EU leaders were determined to take charge and came to Brussels armed with the clear plan.&nbsp;

As set out by host EU Council president Donald Tusk and in draft conclusions leaked to the media, they offered to postpone Brexit to May 22 if British MPs backed the prime minister's withdrawal agreement.

But the leaders wanted to know what she would do if the deal fails again -- as most observers believe is likely.

"She replied that she has no plan B, but was sticking to plan A," one source said.

"She didn't have answers to all the questions," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel told reporters on Friday morning.

May waits outside

Once May had left the room, Macron told the meeting that he had arrived believing there was a 10 per cent chance that May would succeed, according to several European sources.

But, after hearing from her, he said: "I think there is a five per cent chance". To which Tusk retorted, "You are very optimistic."

While May lurked in her delegation's office space, and the leaders argued over dinner, a new conclusions document was drawn up. &nbsp;

After six hours, they eventually agreed to add to their original offer an unconditional proposal to delay Brexit to April 12.

They were forced to postpone a planned discussion on relations with China -- for which May had been due to rejoin them, over dinner -- as different leaders set out different options.

"It was very intense," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a reflection echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

At a press conference afterwards, Tusk insisted there was no rancour. "It was first and foremost a discussion about all possible scenarios. What if, what if -- nobody knows," an EU source said.&nbsp;

May stayed in the building, and was briefed three times by Tusk -- once before the talks, once during a break and again after they finally reached an agreement at 11.20pm.

Some of her team followed developments as they leaked out onto Twitter, with one official admitting afterwards that some of the options considered "would have been quite challenging".

EU hopes for 'rational choice'

In the end, Britain accepted the offer, even if it fell short of May's proposal for a delay until June 30, and several European leaders expressed satisfaction at the result.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the EU "hoped for a rational choice" from Britain, but there remains intense frustration at the deadlock in parliament.

The EU had previously floated the idea of an emergency summit next week if MPs reject May's deal, but Macron warned this would put the responsibility to decide onto the leaders.

"The EU doesn't have all the cards, because everything depends on the British vote," Macron told a late-night press conference.

And Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said: "We're a little bit careful given the history of votes."

The discussion over the extension threatened to undermine the unity of the 27, which has held remarkably well since Britain's 2016 referendum.

But diplomats said that leaders are determined that Brexit wranglings will not disrupt preparations for European Parliament elections in May.

"Now Brexit touches really the core of the functioning of the European Union," one said.

Over an agonising two-hour grilling, British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to convince exasperated European leaders she has any plan to deliver an orderly Brexit if MPs vote her withdrawal deal down.

Over an agonising two-hour grilling, British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to convince exasperated European leaders she has any plan to deliver an orderly Brexit if MPs vote her withdrawal deal down. Tightlipped and evasive, she parried questions until EU chiefs asked her to leave Thursday's summit meeting and embarked on a negotiation among themselves to draw up a new Brexit timetable. "British politicians are today incapable of implementing what the people asked for," France's President Emmanuel Macron declared. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was "at the end of his tether", one diplomatic source told AFP. May's government is in crisis and she has proved unable to muster a majority to approve the Brexit withdrawal deal struck at a previous Brussels get-together in November. With a potentially catastrophic "no deal" departure looming on March 29, the other 27 EU leaders were determined to take charge and came to Brussels armed with the clear plan. As set out by host EU Council president Donald Tusk and in draft conclusions leaked to the media, they offered to postpone Brexit to May 22 if British MPs backed the prime minister's withdrawal agreement. But the leaders wanted to know what she would do if the deal fails again -- as most observers believe is likely. "She replied that she has no plan B, but was sticking to plan A," one source said. "She didn't have answers to all the questions," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel told reporters on Friday morning. May waits outside Once May had left the room, Macron told the meeting that he had arrived believing there was a 10 per cent chance that May would succeed, according to several European sources. But, after hearing from her, he said: "I think there is a five per cent chance". To which Tusk retorted, "You are very optimistic." While May lurked in her delegation's office space, and the leaders argued over dinner, a new conclusions document was drawn up. After six hours, they eventually agreed to add to their original offer an unconditional proposal to delay Brexit to April 12. They were forced to postpone a planned discussion on relations with China -- for which May had been due to rejoin them, over dinner -- as different leaders set out different options. "It was very intense," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a reflection echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At a press conference afterwards, Tusk insisted there was no rancour. "It was first and foremost a discussion about all possible scenarios. What if, what if -- nobody knows," an EU source said. May stayed in the building, and was briefed three times by Tusk -- once before the talks, once during a break and again after they finally reached an agreement at 11.20pm. Some of her team followed developments as they leaked out onto Twitter, with one official admitting afterwards that some of the options considered "would have been quite challenging". EU hopes for 'rational choice' In the end, Britain accepted the offer, even if it fell short of May's proposal for a delay until June 30, and several European leaders expressed satisfaction at the result. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the EU "hoped for a rational choice" from Britain, but there remains intense frustration at the deadlock in parliament. The EU had previously floated the idea of an emergency summit next week if MPs reject May's deal, but Macron warned this would put the responsibility to decide onto the leaders. "The EU doesn't have all the cards, because everything depends on the British vote," Macron told a late-night press conference. And Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said: "We're a little bit careful given the history of votes." The discussion over the extension threatened to undermine the unity of the 27, which has held remarkably well since Britain's 2016 referendum. But diplomats said that leaders are determined that Brexit wranglings will not disrupt preparations for European Parliament elections in May. "Now Brexit touches really the core of the functioning of the European Union," one said.

May leaves Brexit summit with more time, less respect

A huge rally of people from all over UK flooded London's main streets and marched towards the parliament building on Saturday to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-brexit-crisis-deepens-thousands-due-to-march-through-london-for-a-new-referendum-205053">demand a second referendum on Brexit</a>, with organizers saying the mass rally gathered over one million protesters to the capital.

Since the referendum on Britain's EU membership took place in June 2016, protests occur almost daily in front of the parliament or in downtown areas, but never on such a magnitude.

Some prominent political figures including Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan all delivered speeches at the rally, with many calling for the issue to be "put to the people".

Meanwhile, the number of people who have signed an online petition on the British Parliament website calling on the government to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU has now exceeded 4.7 million as of Saturday evening, breaking the record for online signatures. According to the relevant laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, once a petition exceeds 10,000 signatures the government must respond publicly and if the number of signatories surpasses 100,000 then parliament must conduct an open debate on the matter.

The European Union on Thursday extended the original March 29 deadline for Britain's departure from the bloc following a series of crunch meetings in Brussels. The move now gives the UK two options to consider.

The first will see the Brexit deadline extended to May 22 if the British House of Commons approves Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement next week.

However, the second scenario will occur should May's deal be rejected, with the deadline date instead of being April 12, leaving the threat of the UK crashing out of the EU with "no-deal" a real possibility.

A huge rally of people from all over UK flooded London's main streets and marched towards the parliament building on Saturday to demand a second referendum on Brexit, with organizers saying the mass rally gathered over one million protesters to the capital.

A huge rally of people from all over UK flooded London's main streets and marched towards the parliament building on Saturday to demand a second referendum on Brexit, with organizers saying the mass rally gathered over one million protesters to the capital. Since the referendum on Britain's EU membership took place in June 2016, protests occur almost daily in front of the parliament or in downtown areas, but never on such a magnitude. Some prominent political figures including Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan all delivered speeches at the rally, with many calling for the issue to be "put to the people". Meanwhile, the number of people who have signed an online petition on the British Parliament website calling on the government to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU has now exceeded 4.7 million as of Saturday evening, breaking the record for online signatures. According to the relevant laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, once a petition exceeds 10,000 signatures the government must respond publicly and if the number of signatories surpasses 100,000 then parliament must conduct an open debate on the matter. The European Union on Thursday extended the original March 29 deadline for Britain's departure from the bloc following a series of crunch meetings in Brussels. The move now gives the UK two options to consider. The first will see the Brexit deadline extended to May 22 if the British House of Commons approves Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement next week. However, the second scenario will occur should May's deal be rejected, with the deadline date instead of being April 12, leaving the threat of the UK crashing out of the EU with "no-deal" a real possibility.

Over 1 million rally in London demanding second referendum on Brexit, online petition grows

Hundreds of thousands of protesters swamped London on Saturday demanding another referendum on EU membership amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-may-pushes-for-brexit-deal-with-new-timetable-204984">political paralysis over Brexit</a>, in one of the country's biggest protests in decades.

Organisers said about a million people opposed to Britain leaving the European Union joined what they called the "Put it to the People" march, descending on the capital by road and rail from across the country.

Wielding an array of anti-Brexit signs and EU flags, they first gathered at Hyde Park before walking the approximately two-mile route to Westminster -- whistling, cheering and chanting.

"It's terrible," protester Emma Sword told AFP of the current political gridlock.&nbsp;

"We need to revoke Article 50 and if we can't do that, then we need the people's vote," she said, referring to the EU legal mechanism Britain invoked for Brexit.

At the endpoint of the march outside parliament, speakers including Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and opposition Labour deputy leader Tom Watson rallied the crowds through the afternoon.&nbsp;

"We've seen how the government has ignored our warnings time and time again," said Khan.&nbsp;

"It's time to say loud and clear: enough is enough."

A host of other political figures also joined the demonstration, including Independent Group MPs who quit Britain's two mainstream parties -- the Conservatives and Labour -- earlier this year in protest at their Brexit policies.

"This cause is actually bigger than any political party, it is bigger than any tribalism, and it is what unites us," said Anna Soubry, one of the breakaway lawmakers.

'The message is clear'

A majority of MPs voted against holding another referendum on the issue earlier this month, and it remains a longshot bid by Remainers.

But with the protest coming just days after EU leaders granted a delay to Brexit, people are increasingly hopeful they could still force a public vote.

"The message is clear: stop Brexit," said the leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable, who led the march as it set off at lunchtime.

"We are now a Remain country. Nearly 90 per cent of young voters who weren't allowed to vote in 2016 would vote to remain," he added.

Science student Calypso Latham, 19, echoed the point.

"I was too young to vote in the last referendum," she told the BBC.

"It's going to affect my career with research grants so I definitely wanted to come and protest."

This week's agreed delay to Brexit, which was set for March 29, has prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to make a renewed bid to win MPs' backing for her divorce deal.

If she succeeds, Britain will depart on May 22 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement the prime minister struck with Brussels last year.

But if lawmakers defeat the accord again, as expected, London must outline a new plan or face a no-deal Brexit as early as April 12 -- unless it decides to request another extension and hold European Parliament elections in May.

'Final say'

Called by the People's Vote pressure group, Saturday's protest follows a similar demonstration in October that drew an estimated half a million people.

Organisers arranged hundreds of coaches and even chartered a train to bring protesters from all corners of the country to the capital.

Stephen Goodall, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, travelled 200 miles (300 kilometres) by train from southwest England alongside four generations of his family including his great-granddaughter.

"I am an old man and the outcome won't affect me -- but it will affect my family and many people that I know for years to come," he said.

May has repeatedly ruled out holding another poll on the issue, claiming it would renege on promises to honour the 2016 referendum result.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the main opposition Labour Party appears divided on the issue, with some MPs in favour while others representing Leave-supporting areas in central and northern England are bitterly opposed.

Watson, the deputy leader, said he had now decided to campaign for a referendum "reluctantly" and would only back May's deal if it was also put to the people.

"It can only begin to bring the country back together again if we all have a final say -- and then live with the result," he said.

"I trust the people I represent. And only they can sort this mess out."

Hundreds of thousands of protesters swamped London on Saturday demanding another referendum on EU membership amid political paralysis over Brexit, in one of the country's biggest protests in decades.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters swamped London on Saturday demanding another referendum on EU membership amid political paralysis over Brexit, in one of the country's biggest protests in decades. Organisers said about a million people opposed to Britain leaving the European Union joined what they called the "Put it to the People" march, descending on the capital by road and rail from across the country. Wielding an array of anti-Brexit signs and EU flags, they first gathered at Hyde Park before walking the approximately two-mile route to Westminster -- whistling, cheering and chanting. "It's terrible," protester Emma Sword told AFP of the current political gridlock. "We need to revoke Article 50 and if we can't do that, then we need the people's vote," she said, referring to the EU legal mechanism Britain invoked for Brexit. At the endpoint of the march outside parliament, speakers including Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and opposition Labour deputy leader Tom Watson rallied the crowds through the afternoon. "We've seen how the government has ignored our warnings time and time again," said Khan. "It's time to say loud and clear: enough is enough." A host of other political figures also joined the demonstration, including Independent Group MPs who quit Britain's two mainstream parties -- the Conservatives and Labour -- earlier this year in protest at their Brexit policies. "This cause is actually bigger than any political party, it is bigger than any tribalism, and it is what unites us," said Anna Soubry, one of the breakaway lawmakers. 'The message is clear' A majority of MPs voted against holding another referendum on the issue earlier this month, and it remains a longshot bid by Remainers. But with the protest coming just days after EU leaders granted a delay to Brexit, people are increasingly hopeful they could still force a public vote. "The message is clear: stop Brexit," said the leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable, who led the march as it set off at lunchtime. "We are now a Remain country. Nearly 90 per cent of young voters who weren't allowed to vote in 2016 would vote to remain," he added. Science student Calypso Latham, 19, echoed the point. "I was too young to vote in the last referendum," she told the BBC. "It's going to affect my career with research grants so I definitely wanted to come and protest." This week's agreed delay to Brexit, which was set for March 29, has prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to make a renewed bid to win MPs' backing for her divorce deal. If she succeeds, Britain will depart on May 22 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement the prime minister struck with Brussels last year. But if lawmakers defeat the accord again, as expected, London must outline a new plan or face a no-deal Brexit as early as April 12 -- unless it decides to request another extension and hold European Parliament elections in May. 'Final say' Called by the People's Vote pressure group, Saturday's protest follows a similar demonstration in October that drew an estimated half a million people. Organisers arranged hundreds of coaches and even chartered a train to bring protesters from all corners of the country to the capital. Stephen Goodall, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, travelled 200 miles (300 kilometres) by train from southwest England alongside four generations of his family including his great-granddaughter. "I am an old man and the outcome won't affect me -- but it will affect my family and many people that I know for years to come," he said. May has repeatedly ruled out holding another poll on the issue, claiming it would renege on promises to honour the 2016 referendum result. Meanwhile, the main opposition Labour Party appears divided on the issue, with some MPs in favour while others representing Leave-supporting areas in central and northern England are bitterly opposed. Watson, the deputy leader, said he had now decided to campaign for a referendum "reluctantly" and would only back May's deal if it was also put to the people. "It can only begin to bring the country back together again if we all have a final say -- and then live with the result," he said. "I trust the people I represent. And only they can sort this mess out."

Anti-Brexit protesters stage mass rally in London

Thousands of people opposed to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union will march through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership.

After three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as May tries to plot a way out of the gravest political crisis in at least a generation.

May hinted on Friday that she might not bring her twice-defeated EU divorce deal back to parliament next week, leaving her Brexit strategy in meltdown. The Times and The Daily Telegraph reported that pressure was growing on May to resign.

While the country and its politicians are divided over Brexit, most agree it is the most important strategic decision the United Kingdom has faced since World War Two.

Pro-EU protesters will gather for a "Put it to the people march" at Marble Arch on the edge of Hyde Park around midday, before marching past the prime minister's office in Downing Street and finish outside parliament.

James McGrory, the director of the People’s Vote campaign and one of the organisers of the march, said the campaign for a second Brexit referendum is now the biggest mass movement in Britain, dwarfing the membership of the main political parties.

"People from all walks of life see can what they were once offered bears no relation to what is being delivered and they are angry about it because it feels like a bad deal is being rammed down their throats," he told Reuters.

Organisers were confident that the size of the crowd would exceed a similar rally held in October, when supporters said about 700,000 people turned up.

Two hundred coaches from around Britain were booked to take people to London for the march. One coach left the Scottish Highlands on Friday evening, and another left from Cornwall on England's western tip early on Saturday morning.

A petition to cancel Brexit altogether gained 4 million signatures in just 3 days after May told the public "I am on your side" over Brexit and urged lawmakers to get behind her deal.

In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 52 percent, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48 percent, backed staying in the bloc.

But ever since, opponents of Brexit have been exploring ways to hold another referendum.

May has repeatedly ruled out holding another Brexit referendum, saying it would deepen divisions and undermine support for democracy. Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis.

Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes.

Many voters in Britain say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit and May said on Wednesday that they want this stage of the Brexit process to be "over and done with."

Thousands of people opposed to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union will march through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership.

Thousands of people opposed to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union will march through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership. After three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as May tries to plot a way out of the gravest political crisis in at least a generation. May hinted on Friday that she might not bring her twice-defeated EU divorce deal back to parliament next week, leaving her Brexit strategy in meltdown. The Times and The Daily Telegraph reported that pressure was growing on May to resign. While the country and its politicians are divided over Brexit, most agree it is the most important strategic decision the United Kingdom has faced since World War Two. Pro-EU protesters will gather for a "Put it to the people march" at Marble Arch on the edge of Hyde Park around midday, before marching past the prime minister's office in Downing Street and finish outside parliament. James McGrory, the director of the People’s Vote campaign and one of the organisers of the march, said the campaign for a second Brexit referendum is now the biggest mass movement in Britain, dwarfing the membership of the main political parties. "People from all walks of life see can what they were once offered bears no relation to what is being delivered and they are angry about it because it feels like a bad deal is being rammed down their throats," he told Reuters. Organisers were confident that the size of the crowd would exceed a similar rally held in October, when supporters said about 700,000 people turned up. Two hundred coaches from around Britain were booked to take people to London for the march. One coach left the Scottish Highlands on Friday evening, and another left from Cornwall on England's western tip early on Saturday morning. A petition to cancel Brexit altogether gained 4 million signatures in just 3 days after May told the public "I am on your side" over Brexit and urged lawmakers to get behind her deal. In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 52 percent, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48 percent, backed staying in the bloc. But ever since, opponents of Brexit have been exploring ways to hold another referendum. May has repeatedly ruled out holding another Brexit referendum, saying it would deepen divisions and undermine support for democracy. Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis. Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes. Many voters in Britain say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit and May said on Wednesday that they want this stage of the Brexit process to be "over and done with."

As Brexit crisis deepens, thousands due to march through London for a new referendum

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-theresa-may-welcomes-brexit-delay-204744">British Prime Minister Theresa May</a> on Friday tried to persuade MPs to back the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-is-what-is-due-to-happen-next-in-brexit-204909">Brexit deal</a>, seeking to build bridges after lashing out at lawmakers for their indecision on Brexit.

May wrote to all MPs to spell out the possible paths forward after European Union leaders granted a short delay to Britain's departure date at this week's EU summit.

However, the prime minister said she would not hold a third vote on the divorce deal next week if sufficient numbers do not switch sides in the coming days.

The premier faces daunting odds to persuade British lawmakers to support the plan -- something they have already overwhelmingly rejected twice -- by a new April 12 deadline agreed with the EU.

If May succeeds, Britain -- which was staring at a cliff-edge deadline of March 29 for leaving the EU -- will depart on May 22 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels last year.

But if MPs cannot back the deal, then Britain can ask for another extension by April 12 or face a no-deal Brexit.

A further extension would require Britain to take part in European Parliament elections in May, despite having voted to leave the bloc three years ago.

Four options ahead

In her letter, May said she would only bring the divorce agreement before the House of Commons again if it looked like there was sufficient support to pass the deal.

She spelt out the four options ahead, the first to being to revoke Britain's notice to leave the EU, "but that would betray the result of the referendum", the second to leave with no deal on April 12 -- which a majority of MPs have said they do not support, in a vote earlier this month.

"If it appears that there are sufficient support and the speaker permits it, we can bring the deal back next week and if it is approved we can leave on May 22," she wrote.

But she said if there was not sufficient support or the house rejected it, Britain could ask for another extension and take part in the European Parliament elections, adding: "I strongly believe that... would be wrong".

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Friday at the close of the EU summit, EU Council President Donald Tusk said: "Until April 12, anything is possible."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the bloc's leaders would need another summit with May to discuss how to proceed if MPs reject the agreement again.

That prospect increased on Friday after Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's government in parliament, accused the prime minister of "failure" at the EU summit.

"The government has been far too willing to capitulate," Nigel Dodds, the DUP's leader in the British parliament, said in a statement, adding that "nothing has changed as far as the withdrawal agreement is concerned".

Frustration&nbsp;

May faces an immediate hurdle in the form of John Bercow, the speaker of parliament's lower House of Commons.

He has said the agreement being voted on has to be on different terms from the ones MPs have already rejected.

There was also heightened speculation that May is increasingly open to a series of so-called "indicative votes" that could reveal the level of parliamentary support for other options.

Parliament has been deadlocked for months over Brexit, with lawmakers unable to decide how to implement the 2016 referendum vote to leave, reflecting bitter divisions in the kingdom as a whole.

In her letter, May rowed back from Wednesday night, when she made a statement lambasting MPs for failing to make their minds up on how they wanted to proceed on Brexit.

"I expressed my frustration with our failure to take a decision, but I know that many of you are frustrated too. You have a difficult job to do and it was not my intention to make it any more difficult," she said.

The pound rose on news of the Brexit delay but is likely to remain volatile amid uncertainty over what path Britain will now take.

Stocks in London ended the day 2.0 per cent lower.

As uncertainty continues to reign, more than 3.7 million people have signed an online petition calling on the government to cancel Brexit.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday tried to persuade MPs to back the Brexit deal, seeking to build bridges after lashing out at lawmakers for their indecision on Brexit.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday tried to persuade MPs to back the Brexit deal, seeking to build bridges after lashing out at lawmakers for their indecision on Brexit. May wrote to all MPs to spell out the possible paths forward after European Union leaders granted a short delay to Britain's departure date at this week's EU summit. However, the prime minister said she would not hold a third vote on the divorce deal next week if sufficient numbers do not switch sides in the coming days. The premier faces daunting odds to persuade British lawmakers to support the plan -- something they have already overwhelmingly rejected twice -- by a new April 12 deadline agreed with the EU. If May succeeds, Britain -- which was staring at a cliff-edge deadline of March 29 for leaving the EU -- will depart on May 22 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels last year. But if MPs cannot back the deal, then Britain can ask for another extension by April 12 or face a no-deal Brexit. A further extension would require Britain to take part in European Parliament elections in May, despite having voted to leave the bloc three years ago. Four options ahead In her letter, May said she would only bring the divorce agreement before the House of Commons again if it looked like there was sufficient support to pass the deal. She spelt out the four options ahead, the first to being to revoke Britain's notice to leave the EU, "but that would betray the result of the referendum", the second to leave with no deal on April 12 -- which a majority of MPs have said they do not support, in a vote earlier this month. "If it appears that there are sufficient support and the speaker permits it, we can bring the deal back next week and if it is approved we can leave on May 22," she wrote. But she said if there was not sufficient support or the house rejected it, Britain could ask for another extension and take part in the European Parliament elections, adding: "I strongly believe that... would be wrong". Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Friday at the close of the EU summit, EU Council President Donald Tusk said: "Until April 12, anything is possible." German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the bloc's leaders would need another summit with May to discuss how to proceed if MPs reject the agreement again. That prospect increased on Friday after Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's government in parliament, accused the prime minister of "failure" at the EU summit. "The government has been far too willing to capitulate," Nigel Dodds, the DUP's leader in the British parliament, said in a statement, adding that "nothing has changed as far as the withdrawal agreement is concerned". Frustration May faces an immediate hurdle in the form of John Bercow, the speaker of parliament's lower House of Commons. He has said the agreement being voted on has to be on different terms from the ones MPs have already rejected. There was also heightened speculation that May is increasingly open to a series of so-called "indicative votes" that could reveal the level of parliamentary support for other options. Parliament has been deadlocked for months over Brexit, with lawmakers unable to decide how to implement the 2016 referendum vote to leave, reflecting bitter divisions in the kingdom as a whole. In her letter, May rowed back from Wednesday night, when she made a statement lambasting MPs for failing to make their minds up on how they wanted to proceed on Brexit. "I expressed my frustration with our failure to take a decision, but I know that many of you are frustrated too. You have a difficult job to do and it was not my intention to make it any more difficult," she said. The pound rose on news of the Brexit delay but is likely to remain volatile amid uncertainty over what path Britain will now take. Stocks in London ended the day 2.0 per cent lower. As uncertainty continues to reign, more than 3.7 million people have signed an online petition calling on the government to cancel Brexit.

UK PM May pushes for Brexit deal with new timetable

Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-brexit-crisis-deepens-thousands-due-to-march-through-london-for-a-new-referendum-205053">Britain's withdrawal from the European Union</a> marched through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership.

Marchers set off in central London with banners proclaiming "the best deal is no Brexit" and "we demand a People's Vote" in what organisers said could be the biggest anti-Brexit protest yet.

After three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as May tries to plot a way out of the gravest political crisis in at least a generation.

May hinted on Friday that she might not bring her twice-defeated EU divorce deal back to parliament next week, leaving her Brexit strategy in meltdown. The Times and The Daily Telegraph reported that pressure was growing on May to resign.

"I would feel differently if this was a well-managed process and the government was taking sensible decisions. But it is complete chaos," Gareth Rae, 59, who travelled from Bristol to attend the demonstration, told Reuters.

"The country will be divided whatever happens and it is worse to be divided on a lie."

While the country and its politicians are divided over Brexit, most agree it is the most important strategic decision the United Kingdom has faced since World War Two.

Pro-EU protesters gathered for a "Put it to the people march" at Marble Arch on the edge of Hyde Park around midday, before marching past the prime minister's office in Downing Street and finish outside parliament.

While there was no official estimate of the numbers, campaign organisers said hundreds of thousands of people were in the crowd as it began to march.

Organisers were confident that the size of the crowd would exceed a similar rally held in October when supporters said about 700,000 people turned up.

'Never gonna give EU up'

Phoebe Poole, 18, who was holding a placard saying "never gonna give EU up" in reference to a song by 1980s pop star Rick Astley, wasn’t old enough to vote in the 2016 referendum.

"We have come here today because we feel like our future has been stolen from us. It is our generation that is going to have to live with the consequences of this disaster," she told Reuters.

"It is going to make it harder to get a job. You are already seeing a lot of large companies leaving. I am worried about the future."

Two hundred coaches from around Britain were booked to take people to London for the march. One coach left the Scottish Highlands on Friday evening, and another left from Cornwall on England's western tip early on Saturday morning.

A petition to cancel Brexit altogether gained 4 million signatures in just 3 days after May told the public "I am on your side" over Brexit and urged lawmakers to get behind her deal.

In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 52 per cent, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48 per cent, backed staying in the bloc.

But ever since, opponents of Brexit have been exploring ways to hold another referendum.

May has repeatedly ruled out holding another Brexit referendum, saying it would deepen divisions and undermine support for democracy. Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis.

We already put it to the people. And the people roared," pro-leave group Change Britain said in a tweet.

Supporters of Brexit say that while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term Britain would thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in German-dominated unity that is falling far behind other major powers.

Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes.

Many voters in Britain say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit and May said on Wednesday that they want this stage of the Brexit process to be "over and done with."

But protesters disagreed with May's claim that she is on the side of the British public, with one placard reading: "You do not speak for us Theresa."

Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union marched through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership.

Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union marched through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership. Marchers set off in central London with banners proclaiming "the best deal is no Brexit" and "we demand a People's Vote" in what organisers said could be the biggest anti-Brexit protest yet. After three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as May tries to plot a way out of the gravest political crisis in at least a generation. May hinted on Friday that she might not bring her twice-defeated EU divorce deal back to parliament next week, leaving her Brexit strategy in meltdown. The Times and The Daily Telegraph reported that pressure was growing on May to resign. "I would feel differently if this was a well-managed process and the government was taking sensible decisions. But it is complete chaos," Gareth Rae, 59, who travelled from Bristol to attend the demonstration, told Reuters. "The country will be divided whatever happens and it is worse to be divided on a lie." While the country and its politicians are divided over Brexit, most agree it is the most important strategic decision the United Kingdom has faced since World War Two. Pro-EU protesters gathered for a "Put it to the people march" at Marble Arch on the edge of Hyde Park around midday, before marching past the prime minister's office in Downing Street and finish outside parliament. While there was no official estimate of the numbers, campaign organisers said hundreds of thousands of people were in the crowd as it began to march. Organisers were confident that the size of the crowd would exceed a similar rally held in October when supporters said about 700,000 people turned up. 'Never gonna give EU up' Phoebe Poole, 18, who was holding a placard saying "never gonna give EU up" in reference to a song by 1980s pop star Rick Astley, wasn’t old enough to vote in the 2016 referendum. "We have come here today because we feel like our future has been stolen from us. It is our generation that is going to have to live with the consequences of this disaster," she told Reuters. "It is going to make it harder to get a job. You are already seeing a lot of large companies leaving. I am worried about the future." Two hundred coaches from around Britain were booked to take people to London for the march. One coach left the Scottish Highlands on Friday evening, and another left from Cornwall on England's western tip early on Saturday morning. A petition to cancel Brexit altogether gained 4 million signatures in just 3 days after May told the public "I am on your side" over Brexit and urged lawmakers to get behind her deal. In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 52 per cent, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48 per cent, backed staying in the bloc. But ever since, opponents of Brexit have been exploring ways to hold another referendum. May has repeatedly ruled out holding another Brexit referendum, saying it would deepen divisions and undermine support for democracy. Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis. We already put it to the people. And the people roared," pro-leave group Change Britain said in a tweet. Supporters of Brexit say that while the divorce might bring some short-term instability, in the longer term Britain would thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in German-dominated unity that is falling far behind other major powers. Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes. Many voters in Britain say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit and May said on Wednesday that they want this stage of the Brexit process to be "over and done with." But protesters disagreed with May's claim that she is on the side of the British public, with one placard reading: "You do not speak for us Theresa."

Thousands take to street in London to demand new Brexit referendum

Prime Minister Theresa May was under pressure on Saturday to set out plans for her departure, leading British newspapers reported, as her B<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-theresa-may-welcomes-brexit-delay-204744">rexit strategy lay in tatters</a> just weeks before the United Kingdom was due to leave the European Union.

May's Brexit deal has been defeated twice by lawmakers, and while she has secured a delay to Brexit until at least April 12, she hinted on Friday that she would not bring back the plan for another vote next week if she was not confident it would pass.

May's office declined to comment on a report in The Times newspaper that discussions on a timetable for the prime minister to stand down were now underway.

But a Downing Street source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the report was incorrect.

"News to me," the source said. "No, it's not correct."

The Times quoted an unidentified Downing Street source saying that even her closest allies believed it was inevitable she would have to resign.

The Daily Telegraph said that senior ministers had urged May to quit, and Buzzfeed reported that one lawmaker, a "whip" responsible for party discipline, had told her to set out plans to quit in the Sunday newspapers.

"She needs to set out a timetable for her departure and try to get her meaningful vote through. That's the best way forward," the Telegraph quoted an unnamed cabinet minister as saying.

Betting odds indicate there is now a 20 per cent chance that May will be out of her job by the end of this month, Ladbrokes said on Saturday.

Brexit had been due to happen on March 29 before May secured a delay in talks with the European Union on Thursday.

Now a May 22 departure date will apply if parliament rallies behind the British prime minister next week. If it does not, Britain will have until April 12 to offer a new plan or decide to leave the European Union without a treaty.

Prime Minister Theresa May was under pressure on Saturday to set out plans for her departure, leading British newspapers reported, as her Brexit strategy lay in tatters just weeks before the United Kingdom was due to leave the European Union.

Prime Minister Theresa May was under pressure on Saturday to set out plans for her departure, leading British newspapers reported, as her Brexit strategy lay in tatters just weeks before the United Kingdom was due to leave the European Union. May's Brexit deal has been defeated twice by lawmakers, and while she has secured a delay to Brexit until at least April 12, she hinted on Friday that she would not bring back the plan for another vote next week if she was not confident it would pass. May's office declined to comment on a report in The Times newspaper that discussions on a timetable for the prime minister to stand down were now underway. But a Downing Street source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the report was incorrect. "News to me," the source said. "No, it's not correct." The Times quoted an unidentified Downing Street source saying that even her closest allies believed it was inevitable she would have to resign. The Daily Telegraph said that senior ministers had urged May to quit, and Buzzfeed reported that one lawmaker, a "whip" responsible for party discipline, had told her to set out plans to quit in the Sunday newspapers. "She needs to set out a timetable for her departure and try to get her meaningful vote through. That's the best way forward," the Telegraph quoted an unnamed cabinet minister as saying. Betting odds indicate there is now a 20 per cent chance that May will be out of her job by the end of this month, Ladbrokes said on Saturday. Brexit had been due to happen on March 29 before May secured a delay in talks with the European Union on Thursday. Now a May 22 departure date will apply if parliament rallies behind the British prime minister next week. If it does not, Britain will have until April 12 to offer a new plan or decide to leave the European Union without a treaty.

Mayday? Pressure builds on UK PM Theresa May to announce plans to quit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-first-new-north-korea-sanctions-since-failed-summit-204745">US announces first new North Korea sanctions since failed summit</a>

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped North Korea evade US and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit collapsed last month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-theresa-may-welcomes-brexit-delay-204744">UK PM Theresa May welcomes Brexit delay, says Parliament now has clear choice</a>

European leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to Britain's divorce from the European Union in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit. "I think what this decision tonight does is show the clear choice that is available, open to MPs," May noted.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-police-visited-mosque-shooter-before-granting-gun-licence-204754">New Zealand police visited mosque shooter before granting gun licence</a>

New Zealand police revealed Friday that they met with the accused Christchurch mosque shooter at his home in October 2017 before granting him the licence that let him purchase the weapons used in the rampage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/almost-100-dead-as-overloaded-ferry-sinks-in-iraqs-tigris-river-204757">Iraq: Almost 100 dead as overloaded ferry sinks in Tigris river, PM Mahdi declares national mourning</a>

Almost 100 people, mostly women and children, died Thursday as a ferry packed with families celebrating Kurdish New Year sank in a swollen river in the former jihadist stronghold of Mosul, in Iraq's worst accident in years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-crashes-boeing-rolls-out-safety-feature-previously-sold-as-an-option-204750">After crashes, Boeing rolls out safety feature previously sold as an option</a>

Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft will be outfitted with a warning light for malfunctions in the anti-stall system suspected in October's fatal crash in Indonesia, an industry source told AFP Thursday, standardizing a feature previously sold as an optional extra.

US announces first new North Korea sanctions since failed summit The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped North Korea evade US and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit collapsed last month.

US announces first new North Korea sanctions since failed summit The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped North Korea evade US and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit collapsed last month. UK PM Theresa May welcomes Brexit delay, says Parliament now has clear choice European leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to Britain's divorce from the European Union in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit. "I think what this decision tonight does is show the clear choice that is available, open to MPs," May noted. New Zealand police visited mosque shooter before granting gun licence New Zealand police revealed Friday that they met with the accused Christchurch mosque shooter at his home in October 2017 before granting him the licence that let him purchase the weapons used in the rampage. Iraq: Almost 100 dead as overloaded ferry sinks in Tigris river, PM Mahdi declares national mourning Almost 100 people, mostly women and children, died Thursday as a ferry packed with families celebrating Kurdish New Year sank in a swollen river in the former jihadist stronghold of Mosul, in Iraq's worst accident in years. After crashes, Boeing rolls out safety feature previously sold as an option Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft will be outfitted with a warning light for malfunctions in the anti-stall system suspected in October's fatal crash in Indonesia, an industry source told AFP Thursday, standardizing a feature previously sold as an optional extra.

News brief: Big stories of the day

European Union agrees on two-part Brexit timetable

European leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-brexit-700000-sign-uk-petition-to-stay-in-european-union-204690">Britain's divorce from the European Union</a> in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit.&nbsp;"I think what this decision tonight does is show the clear choice that is available, open to MPs," May noted.&nbsp;

Britain had faced a sharp cliff-edge deadline of March 29 to leave, but May's EU colleagues said the split could wait until May 22 if British lawmakers approve a withdrawal accord next week.

But if the House of Commons rejects the deal -- as it has done twice before -- Brexit will take place on April 12, unless Britain has decided by then to take part in this year's European Parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

"April 12 is the key date in terms of the UK deciding whether to hold European parliament elections," EU Council president and summit host Donald Tusk said, announcing the arrangement.&nbsp;

Britain would need time to legislate to take part in the May 23 to 26 election, and May has insisted it will not try, preferring in her words "to honour" voters' decision to end London's 46-year-old membership.

"I believe strongly that it would be wrong to ask people in the UK to participate in these elections three years after voting to leave the European Union," May said, confirming the agreement.

'Responsibility lies with the British'&nbsp;

Tusk said that if the vote is not organised then a further "extension will automatically become impossible" and that even with an election, all 27 remaining EU member states would unanimously have to approve it.

"March 29 is over. As of tonight, April 12 is the new March 29," an EU official said.

"On April 12 we have to know where things stand ... if we don't have a response by then we will have a no deal Brexit," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel warned.

And French President Emmanuel Macron, who had taken a harder public line than some of his colleagues declared: "The responsibility now lies with the British, and I think that's the big achievement of the day."

Despite an extraordinary joint warning from Britain's business and trade union leaders that the economic disruptions of a no deal Brexit would present a "national emergency", May had refused to rule out walking away.

Even as she was meeting the EU 27 in Brussels for the European Council summit, an online petition hosted by the UK parliament and calling for Brexit to be abandoned topped two million signatures.&nbsp;

It still remains far from clear that May will be able to get the withdrawal agreement she signed last November past the House of Commons, and she turned up the heat on her own MPs after the Brexit talks.

"What the decision today underlines is the importance of the House of Commons passing a Brexit deal next week," she insisted.

"Tomorrow morning I am returning to the UK and working hard on building support to get the deal through... I hope we can all agree we are now at the moment of decision."

May had requested a short delay until June 30 to allow time for the ratification of her deal if it approved, but European leaders decided they did not want Brexit concerns to linger into the election campaign.

Deep divisions&nbsp;

Despite winning the extension, there is a chance the decision might be taken out of May's hands.

She had intended to hold a third vote on her deal this week, but the Speaker of the House of Commons blocked it, citing 400-year-old precedent that says the same proposition cannot be put to MPs again and again.

May is hoping that the EU summit's approval of fresh guarantees about the agreement will overcome the speaker's objections, but even if the deal goes forward rebel MPs may seize control of the process.

May's deal remains hugely unpopular among MPs on all sides of the Brexit debate, with some arguing it keeps Britain too closely to the EU, and others saying it would not keep it close enough.

British voters are also sharply divided.

Many pro-Europeans support a lengthy delay to Brexit, believing it would increase pressure at home for a general election or for a second referendum that might reverse the decision.&nbsp;

But there is huge anger among those who want to leave the EU and do not understand why it is taking so long, while eight of May's senior ministers last week voted against any delay.

European leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to Britain's divorce from the European Union in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit.

European leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to Britain's divorce from the European Union in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit. "I think what this decision tonight does is show the clear choice that is available, open to MPs," May noted. Britain had faced a sharp cliff-edge deadline of March 29 to leave, but May's EU colleagues said the split could wait until May 22 if British lawmakers approve a withdrawal accord next week. But if the House of Commons rejects the deal -- as it has done twice before -- Brexit will take place on April 12, unless Britain has decided by then to take part in this year's European Parliamentary elections. "April 12 is the key date in terms of the UK deciding whether to hold European parliament elections," EU Council president and summit host Donald Tusk said, announcing the arrangement. Britain would need time to legislate to take part in the May 23 to 26 election, and May has insisted it will not try, preferring in her words "to honour" voters' decision to end London's 46-year-old membership. "I believe strongly that it would be wrong to ask people in the UK to participate in these elections three years after voting to leave the European Union," May said, confirming the agreement. 'Responsibility lies with the British' Tusk said that if the vote is not organised then a further "extension will automatically become impossible" and that even with an election, all 27 remaining EU member states would unanimously have to approve it. "March 29 is over. As of tonight, April 12 is the new March 29," an EU official said. "On April 12 we have to know where things stand ... if we don't have a response by then we will have a no deal Brexit," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel warned. And French President Emmanuel Macron, who had taken a harder public line than some of his colleagues declared: "The responsibility now lies with the British, and I think that's the big achievement of the day." Despite an extraordinary joint warning from Britain's business and trade union leaders that the economic disruptions of a no deal Brexit would present a "national emergency", May had refused to rule out walking away. Even as she was meeting the EU 27 in Brussels for the European Council summit, an online petition hosted by the UK parliament and calling for Brexit to be abandoned topped two million signatures. It still remains far from clear that May will be able to get the withdrawal agreement she signed last November past the House of Commons, and she turned up the heat on her own MPs after the Brexit talks. "What the decision today underlines is the importance of the House of Commons passing a Brexit deal next week," she insisted. "Tomorrow morning I am returning to the UK and working hard on building support to get the deal through... I hope we can all agree we are now at the moment of decision." May had requested a short delay until June 30 to allow time for the ratification of her deal if it approved, but European leaders decided they did not want Brexit concerns to linger into the election campaign. Deep divisions Despite winning the extension, there is a chance the decision might be taken out of May's hands. She had intended to hold a third vote on her deal this week, but the Speaker of the House of Commons blocked it, citing 400-year-old precedent that says the same proposition cannot be put to MPs again and again. May is hoping that the EU summit's approval of fresh guarantees about the agreement will overcome the speaker's objections, but even if the deal goes forward rebel MPs may seize control of the process. May's deal remains hugely unpopular among MPs on all sides of the Brexit debate, with some arguing it keeps Britain too closely to the EU, and others saying it would not keep it close enough. British voters are also sharply divided. Many pro-Europeans support a lengthy delay to Brexit, believing it would increase pressure at home for a general election or for a second referendum that might reverse the decision. But there is huge anger among those who want to leave the EU and do not understand why it is taking so long, while eight of May's senior ministers last week voted against any delay.

UK PM Theresa May welcomes Brexit delay, says Parliament now has clear choice

European Union leaders have given Prime Minister Theresa May a two-week reprieve before Britain could leave the bloc without an exit deal if she fails to win parliament's backing for her agreement with Brussels.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/if-brexit-happens-it-will-constitute-a-real-test-of-eus-longevity-204853">If Brexit happens, it will constitute a real test of EU’s longevity</a>

Below is what is due to happen next:

Brexit debate: Monday 25 March

Lawmakers are due to debate a government motion saying that parliament has considered a statement made by May on March 15 which set out the government's next steps on Brexit, including its plan to seek a delay.

They will put forward proposed changes, known as amendments, to this motion setting out alternative ways forward on Brexit.

While amendments are not legally binding - although they exert political pressure on May to change course - a cross-party group of lawmakers hopes to use one to change the rules of parliament to wrest control of the Brexit process from the government.

The group, including lawmakers from May's Conservatives, have put forward a proposal which would set aside March 27 to debate and vote on alternative ways forward on Brexit to try to find a majority that would break the parliamentary deadlock.

A similar amendment voted on last week lost by just two votes so this is expected to have a good chance of passing.

Third vote on May's deal: Tuesday 26 March?

EU leaders have agreed to delay Brexit to May 22, from March 29, on the condition the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by parliament next week.

The government has yet to schedule a day for a vote but it will have to notify parliament the day before it plans to hold one. Tuesday had been the day most widely expected but with the threat of a no-deal exit on Friday now removed, some believe it could be later in the week.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has ruled that the government cannot bring forward proposals for a vote that are substantially the same as those already defeated twice before, but this is not ultimately expected to prevent the third vote if lawmakers want one to happen.

May's team says that the approval at an EU summit of the so-called Strasbourg agreement - extra assurances on the Northern Irish backstop arrangement - and other measures now change the deal's shape from the last time it was voted on.

May needs to win over at least 75 lawmakers to get her deal approved, at the moment this looks like an uphill struggle.

Indicative votes: Wednesday 27&nbsp;March?

Last week, May's de facto deputy, David Lidington, promised that if the government's deal was not approved and Britain was facing a long delay to Brexit, the government would give parliament time to consider the way forward.

"In such a scenario the government ... would facilitate a process in the two weeks after the March European Council to allow ​the House to seek a majority on the way forward," he said.

This has been interpreted as so-called indicative votes, which would allow lawmakers to vote on a variety of possible Brexit outcomes to see if there is a majority for any option.

On Thursday, May said she would honour the commitments made to parliament by her government.

Such votes could be forced on the government on Wednesday if the proposal to take control of the business in parliament, put forward by the cross-party group of lawmakers, passes on Monday.

Legislation to change exit date

Parliament must pass the legislation required to change the exit date in law before March 29.

This can be done via secondary legislation, known as a Statutory Instrument, or SI, and would need the approval of both parliament's lower chamber, the House of Commons, and upper chamber, the House of Lords. May's spokesman has said the government expects this could be done in one or two days.

No deal exit: April 12

If parliament does not support May's deal next week, the EU has agreed to delay Brexit until April 12 - the day on which Britain would have to give legal notice that it was taking part in EU elections on May 23.

"At this point we would either leave with no deal, or put forward an alternative plan," May said in Brussels on Thursday.

Exit with a deal: May 22

If May's deal is approved next week, Britain's exit will be delayed until May 22 in order to give parliament time to pass the legislation necessary to ratify the deal.

European Union leaders have given Prime Minister Theresa May a two-week reprieve before Britain could leave the bloc without an exit deal if she fails to win parliament's backing for her agreement with Brussels.

European Union leaders have given Prime Minister Theresa May a two-week reprieve before Britain could leave the bloc without an exit deal if she fails to win parliament's backing for her agreement with Brussels. Also read: If Brexit happens, it will constitute a real test of EU’s longevity Below is what is due to happen next: Brexit debate: Monday 25 March Lawmakers are due to debate a government motion saying that parliament has considered a statement made by May on March 15 which set out the government's next steps on Brexit, including its plan to seek a delay. They will put forward proposed changes, known as amendments, to this motion setting out alternative ways forward on Brexit. While amendments are not legally binding - although they exert political pressure on May to change course - a cross-party group of lawmakers hopes to use one to change the rules of parliament to wrest control of the Brexit process from the government. The group, including lawmakers from May's Conservatives, have put forward a proposal which would set aside March 27 to debate and vote on alternative ways forward on Brexit to try to find a majority that would break the parliamentary deadlock. A similar amendment voted on last week lost by just two votes so this is expected to have a good chance of passing. Third vote on May's deal: Tuesday 26 March? EU leaders have agreed to delay Brexit to May 22, from March 29, on the condition the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by parliament next week. The government has yet to schedule a day for a vote but it will have to notify parliament the day before it plans to hold one. Tuesday had been the day most widely expected but with the threat of a no-deal exit on Friday now removed, some believe it could be later in the week. Commons Speaker John Bercow has ruled that the government cannot bring forward proposals for a vote that are substantially the same as those already defeated twice before, but this is not ultimately expected to prevent the third vote if lawmakers want one to happen. May's team says that the approval at an EU summit of the so-called Strasbourg agreement - extra assurances on the Northern Irish backstop arrangement - and other measures now change the deal's shape from the last time it was voted on. May needs to win over at least 75 lawmakers to get her deal approved, at the moment this looks like an uphill struggle. Indicative votes: Wednesday 27 March? Last week, May's de facto deputy, David Lidington, promised that if the government's deal was not approved and Britain was facing a long delay to Brexit, the government would give parliament time to consider the way forward. "In such a scenario the government ... would facilitate a process in the two weeks after the March European Council to allow the House to seek a majority on the way forward," he said. This has been interpreted as so-called indicative votes, which would allow lawmakers to vote on a variety of possible Brexit outcomes to see if there is a majority for any option. On Thursday, May said she would honour the commitments made to parliament by her government. Such votes could be forced on the government on Wednesday if the proposal to take control of the business in parliament, put forward by the cross-party group of lawmakers, passes on Monday. Legislation to change exit date Parliament must pass the legislation required to change the exit date in law before March 29. This can be done via secondary legislation, known as a Statutory Instrument, or SI, and would need the approval of both parliament's lower chamber, the House of Commons, and upper chamber, the House of Lords. May's spokesman has said the government expects this could be done in one or two days. No deal exit: April 12 If parliament does not support May's deal next week, the EU has agreed to delay Brexit until April 12 - the day on which Britain would have to give legal notice that it was taking part in EU elections on May 23. "At this point we would either leave with no deal, or put forward an alternative plan," May said in Brussels on Thursday. Exit with a deal: May 22 If May's deal is approved next week, Britain's exit will be delayed until May 22 in order to give parliament time to pass the legislation necessary to ratify the deal.

Here is what is due to happen next in Brexit

Amid the respite accorded to the United Kingdom for an “orderly Brexit”, Italy’s signing into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other assorted and allied developments, it appears that the future of the European Union (EU) is at stake. The “supranational” body or union, conceived after the end of the Second World war and reified soon after, was in the nature of a lofty and noble attempt to bring an end to Europe’s fratricidal wars, a corrective to balance of power politics and perhaps above all, an attempt to tame if not transcend nationalism.&nbsp;

But, now after many decades since the inception of the EU construct, it appears to be floundering. If and when Brexit happens, it will constitute a real test of the EU’s longevity.

There are many reasons for the frailty and fragility of the EU. The salient among these is the quest for the return of nationalism and sovereignty that, among other things, accord certainty to people. Yes, there are economic reasons of political economy that account for the structural weakness of the entity, but the longing for certainty could be held to be the most significant one. &nbsp;

Inhering in the EU, like the coeval mega-historical phenomenon of globalisation, was a structural dissipation and amelioration of sovereignty and its concomitant, nationalism. Both, in quasi-retreat now, implied loss of certainty and even control by denizens of places that were impacted by these the most. Be it the massive churn and movement of peoples from across the world largely to the West, or massive capital flows (hot capital) that crisscrossed the world, free trade and so on, the traditional, “neat” container, the nation-state, wherein since its inception, the state corresponded to the nation, generally, was under assault or in retreat.

The politico-economic and cultural shifts and societal changes that this entailed, especially in many Western countries meant certain disorientation among people. Overlaid by a putative or, more accurately suspended between the 'Third Industrial Revolution' and a putative Fourth one, the confluence of these trends impacted negatively and disproportionately, the “working classes” of the affected countries. So powerful and such was the magnitude of the trends and developments in contention that these outpaced politics and extant political paradigms. In fact, politics in the West became ossified and stunted which, among other things, caused many people, especially the working classes to feel, or even actually be, at the mercy of these forces and structural trends. It is here that the trajectory of “identity politics” was born and begotten.

Identity politics sought refuge and reassurance in an “organic” and “pure” identity. In other words, identity was essentialised wherein people desired or even craved a return to the “good old days of the past”, so to speak. This axiomatically entailed a robust demand for nationalism and sovereignty with Brexit symbolising and reflecting it, in all its eloquence. &nbsp;

That there is nothing “organic” or “pure” about identity is well known but the wellspring of either is emotion(s) and these are hard, if not impossible to contain, especially through reason and rationality (of which the state is an expression of). Given the “irrationality” of identity politics and the powerful emotive forces that underlie it, the tour de force of this kind of politics is perhaps only set to grow. The more it becomes the dominant paradigm of politics and political life, the more tenuous and fragile the European Union will become, leading ultimately to its collapse, an outcome that will give short shrift to the so-called “post-national” age and will again strengthen the foundations of the nation-state, an end that is not entirely salubrious, to say the least.

But, all said and done, there is a putative silver lining on the horizon. This lies in politics. If it was politics of a certain type that begat identity politics and its many discontents, it is in politics that redemption might lie for the EU. But, for this to happen and fructify, there has to be a paradigm shift if not a veritable revolution in the way politics is conceived and practised. The “new” politics must be of nature which breaks from past shibboleths and takes on identity politics in an idiom that smells of roses. The world we inhabit, in many senses, is a new world and the new politics must speak to it and seize the initiative not merely for a salvage job but also by way of “ creative destruction”.

In the final analysis, the European Union is a bold and a beautiful experiment in transcending narrow and parochial identities, the traditional nation state-centrism and sovereignty and nationalism. It must neither crack nor break. For the entity to survive coherently and as a robust and significant player on the world stage, the new politics referred to here has to reified and catapulted into action now. Tomorrow may be too late!

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

 
&nbsp;

Amid the respite accorded to the United Kingdom for an “orderly Brexit”, Italy’s signing into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other assorted and allied developments, it appears that the future of the European Union (EU) is at stake.

Amid the respite accorded to the United Kingdom for an “orderly Brexit”, Italy’s signing into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other assorted and allied developments, it appears that the future of the European Union (EU) is at stake. The “supranational” body or union, conceived after the end of the Second World war and reified soon after, was in the nature of a lofty and noble attempt to bring an end to Europe’s fratricidal wars, a corrective to balance of power politics and perhaps above all, an attempt to tame if not transcend nationalism. But, now after many decades since the inception of the EU construct, it appears to be floundering. If and when Brexit happens, it will constitute a real test of the EU’s longevity. There are many reasons for the frailty and fragility of the EU. The salient among these is the quest for the return of nationalism and sovereignty that, among other things, accord certainty to people. Yes, there are economic reasons of political economy that account for the structural weakness of the entity, but the longing for certainty could be held to be the most significant one. Inhering in the EU, like the coeval mega-historical phenomenon of globalisation, was a structural dissipation and amelioration of sovereignty and its concomitant, nationalism. Both, in quasi-retreat now, implied loss of certainty and even control by denizens of places that were impacted by these the most. Be it the massive churn and movement of peoples from across the world largely to the West, or massive capital flows (hot capital) that crisscrossed the world, free trade and so on, the traditional, “neat” container, the nation-state, wherein since its inception, the state corresponded to the nation, generally, was under assault or in retreat. The politico-economic and cultural shifts and societal changes that this entailed, especially in many Western countries meant certain disorientation among people. Overlaid by a putative or, more accurately suspended between the 'Third Industrial Revolution' and a putative Fourth one, the confluence of these trends impacted negatively and disproportionately, the “working classes” of the affected countries. So powerful and such was the magnitude of the trends and developments in contention that these outpaced politics and extant political paradigms. In fact, politics in the West became ossified and stunted which, among other things, caused many people, especially the working classes to feel, or even actually be, at the mercy of these forces and structural trends. It is here that the trajectory of “identity politics” was born and begotten. Identity politics sought refuge and reassurance in an “organic” and “pure” identity. In other words, identity was essentialised wherein people desired or even craved a return to the “good old days of the past”, so to speak. This axiomatically entailed a robust demand for nationalism and sovereignty with Brexit symbolising and reflecting it, in all its eloquence. That there is nothing “organic” or “pure” about identity is well known but the wellspring of either is emotion(s) and these are hard, if not impossible to contain, especially through reason and rationality (of which the state is an expression of). Given the “irrationality” of identity politics and the powerful emotive forces that underlie it, the tour de force of this kind of politics is perhaps only set to grow. The more it becomes the dominant paradigm of politics and political life, the more tenuous and fragile the European Union will become, leading ultimately to its collapse, an outcome that will give short shrift to the so-called “post-national” age and will again strengthen the foundations of the nation-state, an end that is not entirely salubrious, to say the least. But, all said and done, there is a putative silver lining on the horizon. This lies in politics. If it was politics of a certain type that begat identity politics and its many discontents, it is in politics that redemption might lie for the EU. But, for this to happen and fructify, there has to be a paradigm shift if not a veritable revolution in the way politics is conceived and practised. The “new” politics must be of nature which breaks from past shibboleths and takes on identity politics in an idiom that smells of roses. The world we inhabit, in many senses, is a new world and the new politics must speak to it and seize the initiative not merely for a salvage job but also by way of “ creative destruction”. In the final analysis, the European Union is a bold and a beautiful experiment in transcending narrow and parochial identities, the traditional nation state-centrism and sovereignty and nationalism. It must neither crack nor break. For the entity to survive coherently and as a robust and significant player on the world stage, the new politics referred to here has to reified and catapulted into action now. Tomorrow may be too late! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

If Brexit happens, it will constitute a real test of EU’s longevity

Britain faces a "national emergency" as the risk of a no-deal Brexit rises, business and union leaders warned in an open letter to embattled Prime Minister Theresa May.

The heads of Britain's biggest employers' grouping, the Confederation of British Industry, and union umbrella organisation the Trades Union Congress, urged May to change tack and find a "Plan B" to avert the country leaving the European Union without a deal.

"Our country is facing a national emergency. Decisions of recent days have caused the risk of no-deal to soar," read the letter from CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn and TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.

"Firms and communities across the UK are not ready for this outcome. The shock to our economy would be felt by generations to come," added the pair, who have demanded an "urgent meeting" with May.

The grim warning, contained in a rare coming together of two organisations usually at odds with one another, comes as May meets the other 27 EU leaders in a Brussels summit to plead for a three-month postponement to Brexit.

The premier has already asked EU President and summit host Donald Tusk for the withdrawal date to be moved to June 30 from March 29.

However, EU leaders are likely to refuse her request, leaving Britain vulnerable to departing from the bloc with no trade deal in place.

May's Brexit deal has twice been resoundingly rejected by British lawmakers, and a third vote the premier hoped to hold this week was cancelled by the House of Commons speaker on procedural grounds.

"The current deal-or-no-deal must not be the only choice," added Fairbairn and O'Grady in their joint letter.

"A 'Plan B' must be found -- one that protects workers, the economy and an open Irish border, commands a parliamentary majority, and is negotiable with the EU.

"A new approach is needed to secure this -- whether through indicative votes or another mechanism for compromise," they added.

"We cannot overstate the gravity of this crisis for firms and working people."

Britain faces a "national emergency" as the risk of a no-deal Brexit rises, business and union leaders warned in an open letter to embattled Prime Minister Theresa May.

Britain faces a "national emergency" as the risk of a no-deal Brexit rises, business and union leaders warned in an open letter to embattled Prime Minister Theresa May. The heads of Britain's biggest employers' grouping, the Confederation of British Industry, and union umbrella organisation the Trades Union Congress, urged May to change tack and find a "Plan B" to avert the country leaving the European Union without a deal. "Our country is facing a national emergency. Decisions of recent days have caused the risk of no-deal to soar," read the letter from CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn and TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady. "Firms and communities across the UK are not ready for this outcome. The shock to our economy would be felt by generations to come," added the pair, who have demanded an "urgent meeting" with May. The grim warning, contained in a rare coming together of two organisations usually at odds with one another, comes as May meets the other 27 EU leaders in a Brussels summit to plead for a three-month postponement to Brexit. The premier has already asked EU President and summit host Donald Tusk for the withdrawal date to be moved to June 30 from March 29. However, EU leaders are likely to refuse her request, leaving Britain vulnerable to departing from the bloc with no trade deal in place. May's Brexit deal has twice been resoundingly rejected by British lawmakers, and a third vote the premier hoped to hold this week was cancelled by the House of Commons speaker on procedural grounds. "The current deal-or-no-deal must not be the only choice," added Fairbairn and O'Grady in their joint letter. "A 'Plan B' must be found -- one that protects workers, the economy and an open Irish border, commands a parliamentary majority, and is negotiable with the EU. "A new approach is needed to secure this -- whether through indicative votes or another mechanism for compromise," they added. "We cannot overstate the gravity of this crisis for firms and working people."

UK facing 'national emergency' on Brexit: Business, unions leaders

More than 700,000 people have rushed to sign a petition on the British parliament's website calling for the government to revoke its divorce notice to the European Union and remain in the bloc.

Attracting thousands of signatures every few minutes, the petition took off in the hours after Prime Minister Theresa May made a televised address to the country late on Wednesday, criticising squabbling lawmakers for failing to agree an exit strategy and telling parliament to make a final choice.

"It is high time we made a decision," May said, telling Britons: "I am on your side."

EU leaders will tell May on Thursday she can have two months to organise an orderly Brexit but Britain could face a disruptive ejection from the bloc next Friday if she fails to win backing from parliament.

More than 17 million Britons voted in favour of leaving the EU in a 2016 referendum while 16 million voted to remain, with May serving notice of the UK’s intent to leave under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty the following year.

The "Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU" petition on the parliament website had attracted 706,096 signatures by 1048 GMT, backed by support on social media, although the site appeared to be regularly crashing due to the large numbers trying to sign.

"The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is 'the will of the people'. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU," the petition said.

Parliament must consider holding a debate on all petitions that gain more than 100,000 signatures.

Supporters wrote on Twitter that the petition showed the strength of feeling against May's strategy while backers of Brexit said it needed to attract more signatures than the 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU three years ago before anyone should take any notice.

More than 1.8 million people signed a petition calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to be prevented from making a state visit to Britain, leading to a debate in parliament in 2017.

More than 4 million people signed another petition in 2016 which called for another EU referendum in the event that neither the remain or leave camps achieved 60 percent of the vote.

More than 700,000 people have rushed to sign a petition on the British parliament's website calling for the government to revoke its divorce notice to the European Union and remain in the bloc.

More than 700,000 people have rushed to sign a petition on the British parliament's website calling for the government to revoke its divorce notice to the European Union and remain in the bloc. Attracting thousands of signatures every few minutes, the petition took off in the hours after Prime Minister Theresa May made a televised address to the country late on Wednesday, criticising squabbling lawmakers for failing to agree an exit strategy and telling parliament to make a final choice. "It is high time we made a decision," May said, telling Britons: "I am on your side." EU leaders will tell May on Thursday she can have two months to organise an orderly Brexit but Britain could face a disruptive ejection from the bloc next Friday if she fails to win backing from parliament. More than 17 million Britons voted in favour of leaving the EU in a 2016 referendum while 16 million voted to remain, with May serving notice of the UK’s intent to leave under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty the following year. The "Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU" petition on the parliament website had attracted 706,096 signatures by 1048 GMT, backed by support on social media, although the site appeared to be regularly crashing due to the large numbers trying to sign. "The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is 'the will of the people'. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU," the petition said. Parliament must consider holding a debate on all petitions that gain more than 100,000 signatures. Supporters wrote on Twitter that the petition showed the strength of feeling against May's strategy while backers of Brexit said it needed to attract more signatures than the 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU three years ago before anyone should take any notice. More than 1.8 million people signed a petition calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to be prevented from making a state visit to Britain, leading to a debate in parliament in 2017. More than 4 million people signed another petition in 2016 which called for another EU referendum in the event that neither the remain or leave camps achieved 60 percent of the vote.

Stop Brexit: 700,000 sign UK petition to stay in European Union

Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday faced a backlash after blaming lawmakers for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/short-extension-possible-on-brexit-if-british-lawmakers-approve-withdrawal-deal-european-council-president-tusk-204602">Brexit chaos gripping Britain </a>-- the very people she hopes will finally approve her withdrawal deal.

May made a rare address to the public on Wednesday, putting the onus on MPs to break the deadlock with just eight days to go until Britain is officially due to leave the European Union.

"You the public have had enough. You're tired of the infighting. You're tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows," she said.

"Tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit. You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide," she added.

May is in Brussels on Thursday to ask for a short extension to the March 29 deadline, with a third vote on her unpopular deal expected in parliament next week.

She lost the two previous votes by majorities of 230 and 149, but did little to win over MPs by portraying them as being against the public.

"Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible," said Labour MP Wes Streeting.

"If any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility."

Labour colleague Lisa Nandy, a Brexit supporter who has previously suggested she was open to May's deal, called the comments "dangerous and reckless".

'I could have wept'

Pro-EU backbencher Dominic Grieve led the Conservative backlash, criticising a similar speech made by May in the House of Commons earlier in the day.

The former attorney general is one of those the premier is trying to win over to vote for her deal, but said he had "never felt more ashamed to be a member of the Conservative party, or to lend her my support."

"When the prime minister came to despatch box today... I confessed I think it was the worst moment I have experienced since I came into the House of Commons," he said.

"She spent most of her time castigating the House for its misconduct and at no stage did she pause to consider whether it is in fact the way she is leading this government which might be contributing to this situation.

"I have to say I could have wept."

Anand Menon, professor of European politics at King's College London, told BBC Radio London that it was "strange" for May to court MPs by "abusing them".

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt defended his leader, telling BBC Radio 4 on Thursday that "no prime minister in recent years has been tested in the way that she has."

"Let's not forget the extraordinary pressure she is personally under," he said.

'Brexit paralysis'

May has not ruled out any outcome, including leaving with no deal and also cancelling Brexit altogether, apparently in the hope that hardliners on both sides will drop their opposition in order to prevent their worst-case-scenarios from being realised.

But MPs and cabinet members have instead capitalised on May's weakness, with government ministers on both sides threatening mass resignations.

Some pro-EU ministers have said they would quit if she proceeded with plans to leave without a deal, forcing May to hold a symbolic parliamentary vote on ruling it out.

Brexit-backing ministers this week threatened to walk out if she asked the EU for a long delay to the Brexit deadline, forcing her to limit her request to Brussels for an extension until June 30.

Conservative MP Nigel Evans said that if May couldn't deliver Brexit on time "she has to go", suggesting that MPs were hardening against May ahead of the possible vote.

But ministers loyal to the prime minister remained confident that May could still win the day, despite her personal unpopularity.

"Right now the choice is, do&nbsp;we resolve this or do we have Brexit paralysis?" Foreign Secretary Hunt told the BBC.&nbsp;

"I think it's entirely possible when people look at the choices... people will say actually what the country wants is to get on with it."

Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday faced a backlash after blaming lawmakers for the Brexit chaos gripping Britain -- the very people she hopes will finally approve her withdrawal deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday faced a backlash after blaming lawmakers for the Brexit chaos gripping Britain -- the very people she hopes will finally approve her withdrawal deal. May made a rare address to the public on Wednesday, putting the onus on MPs to break the deadlock with just eight days to go until Britain is officially due to leave the European Union. "You the public have had enough. You're tired of the infighting. You're tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows," she said. "Tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit. You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide," she added. May is in Brussels on Thursday to ask for a short extension to the March 29 deadline, with a third vote on her unpopular deal expected in parliament next week. She lost the two previous votes by majorities of 230 and 149, but did little to win over MPs by portraying them as being against the public. "Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible," said Labour MP Wes Streeting. "If any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility." Labour colleague Lisa Nandy, a Brexit supporter who has previously suggested she was open to May's deal, called the comments "dangerous and reckless". 'I could have wept' Pro-EU backbencher Dominic Grieve led the Conservative backlash, criticising a similar speech made by May in the House of Commons earlier in the day. The former attorney general is one of those the premier is trying to win over to vote for her deal, but said he had "never felt more ashamed to be a member of the Conservative party, or to lend her my support." "When the prime minister came to despatch box today... I confessed I think it was the worst moment I have experienced since I came into the House of Commons," he said. "She spent most of her time castigating the House for its misconduct and at no stage did she pause to consider whether it is in fact the way she is leading this government which might be contributing to this situation. "I have to say I could have wept." Anand Menon, professor of European politics at King's College London, told BBC Radio London that it was "strange" for May to court MPs by "abusing them". Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt defended his leader, telling BBC Radio 4 on Thursday that "no prime minister in recent years has been tested in the way that she has." "Let's not forget the extraordinary pressure she is personally under," he said. 'Brexit paralysis' May has not ruled out any outcome, including leaving with no deal and also cancelling Brexit altogether, apparently in the hope that hardliners on both sides will drop their opposition in order to prevent their worst-case-scenarios from being realised. But MPs and cabinet members have instead capitalised on May's weakness, with government ministers on both sides threatening mass resignations. Some pro-EU ministers have said they would quit if she proceeded with plans to leave without a deal, forcing May to hold a symbolic parliamentary vote on ruling it out. Brexit-backing ministers this week threatened to walk out if she asked the EU for a long delay to the Brexit deadline, forcing her to limit her request to Brussels for an extension until June 30. Conservative MP Nigel Evans said that if May couldn't deliver Brexit on time "she has to go", suggesting that MPs were hardening against May ahead of the possible vote. But ministers loyal to the prime minister remained confident that May could still win the day, despite her personal unpopularity. "Right now the choice is, do we resolve this or do we have Brexit paralysis?" Foreign Secretary Hunt told the BBC. "I think it's entirely possible when people look at the choices... people will say actually what the country wants is to get on with it."

Desperate for votes, Theresa May angers MPs in Brexit blame-game

By Philomena Murray

There is a song by the Melbourne band Little Heroes, called One Perfect Day, from back in 1982 (though it still attracts a cult following). In it, the lead singer asks his ex-girlfriend in England: tell me, is it still raining there in England, and did the government fall last night?

Well, it is still raining. And there is still talk of the government of Theresa May falling. We just observed a week of three parliamentary votes on Brexit, where the government was defeated in two of them.

In another extraordinary day yesterday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, invoked the “Erskine May” parliamentary rules of procedure. That means that an amendment “which is the same, in substance” as an issue that has already been voted on cannot be proposed again in parliament. The speaker said that a new proposal must be “not different in terms of wording, but different in terms of substance”. Unless there are significant changes to the substance of the government’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement, it cannot be sent back to the House for a third “meaningful” vote.

So, what might happen now, with nine days to go until the UK is supposed to leave the EU?

The UK could still leave without an agreement

If there is no parliamentary support for the Withdrawal Agreement, that does not mean the UK does not leave. The UK will leave on 29 March unless the UK government requests an extension to Article 50, which was activated by Theresa May two years ago on 29 March 2017. The Article says, among other things:

The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

If the UK leaves in a little over a week, it will no longer be in the EU and will no longer be party to hundreds of international treaties and thousands of pieces of legislation.

Proroguing the parliament is an option

What are the options in order to avoid crashing out this way? Could the British government somehow get the Withdrawal Agreement through parliament on a third attempt?

One step that Theresa May might be contemplating is taking the extraordinary measure of “proroguing” the parliament. Proroguing effectively means terminating the current session, without actually dissolving it, and having parliament reconvene in a new session. The government would then have the option – if the temporary suspension of the parliament goes smoothly – to re-send the Withdrawal Agreement for a meaningful vote to a newly-convened parliament.

This may not occur in time for the looming exit deadline, and May is unlikely to attempt to present the deal for a third time, unless the Speaker changes his position. So, May could be obliged to yet again set out for Brussels and some EU national capitals to shore up support for an extension of Article 50.

So far, no request to extend Article 50 
 
The EU has not yet received a formal request for an extension of Article 50, even though the House of Commons voted last week for such an extension and May has now indicated she will request one. Nathalie Loiseau, the French Minister for the EU, said, “No such request has been made”.

Perhaps giving a sense of the frustration in some EU capitals about the negotiations, Loiseau revealed she has called her cat Brexit because it is indecisive, as it “meows loudly to be let out each morning, but then refuses to go outside when she opens the door”.

The EU would no doubt request that an extension be fully justified – and there is little European appetite to reopen negotiations with Britain. The EU has been preparing for Brexit for some time.

It is conceivable that Theresa May could seek to justify a request that Article 50 be extended well beyond the 30 June 2019 date currently under discussion in the UK. But there are major problems with this, as the UK would need to take part in the European Parliament elections to take place in May this year. It could also be obliged to contribute to the new EU budget round, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework.

The Brexit saga continues 
​​​​​​​ 
Of course, the idea of voting more than once on a Brexit deal in Parliament raises again the call for a second referendum on EU membership by the people – a people’s vote.

Alternatively, the UK could remain in the EU and revoke Article 50. A recent court ruling that this does not require the consent of the other 27 EU states has emboldened those who are campaigning for a new referendum – although it is far from clear what questions would appear on the ballot paper.

The possibility of Theresa May resigning is never far from the minds of her detractors – whether the European Research Group in her own party, or the Labour party leadership under Jeremy Corbyn.

Meanwhile, the UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox has announced a trade deal that has just been initialled with Iceland and Norway. He stated that this was in addition to the agreement signed with Liechtenstein. At least Norway and Iceland are larger than Liechtenstein, a country of fewer than 38,000 people – famous for being the world’s largest exporter of false teeth.

These new trading partners are considerably smaller than the EU Single Market of over 500 million that the UK currently belongs to. They will certainly not fill the huge void left by Brexit.

Yet again, Theresa May’s government is no doubt hoping for just One Perfect Day, but it is not looking likely at the moment.

(Philomena Murray is Professor, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/nine-days-and-counting-what-options-does-the-uk-have-before-the-brexit-deadline-113910">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

By Philomena Murray There is a song by the Melbourne band Little Heroes, called One Perfect Day, from back in 1982 (though it still attracts a cult following). In it, the lead singer asks his ex-girlfriend in England: tell me, is it still raining there in England, and did the government fall last night?

By Philomena Murray There is a song by the Melbourne band Little Heroes, called One Perfect Day, from back in 1982 (though it still attracts a cult following). In it, the lead singer asks his ex-girlfriend in England: tell me, is it still raining there in England, and did the government fall last night? Well, it is still raining. And there is still talk of the government of Theresa May falling. We just observed a week of three parliamentary votes on Brexit, where the government was defeated in two of them. In another extraordinary day yesterday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, invoked the “Erskine May” parliamentary rules of procedure. That means that an amendment “which is the same, in substance” as an issue that has already been voted on cannot be proposed again in parliament. The speaker said that a new proposal must be “not different in terms of wording, but different in terms of substance”. Unless there are significant changes to the substance of the government’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement, it cannot be sent back to the House for a third “meaningful” vote. So, what might happen now, with nine days to go until the UK is supposed to leave the EU? The UK could still leave without an agreement If there is no parliamentary support for the Withdrawal Agreement, that does not mean the UK does not leave. The UK will leave on 29 March unless the UK government requests an extension to Article 50, which was activated by Theresa May two years ago on 29 March 2017. The Article says, among other things: The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period. If the UK leaves in a little over a week, it will no longer be in the EU and will no longer be party to hundreds of international treaties and thousands of pieces of legislation. Proroguing the parliament is an option What are the options in order to avoid crashing out this way? Could the British government somehow get the Withdrawal Agreement through parliament on a third attempt? One step that Theresa May might be contemplating is taking the extraordinary measure of “proroguing” the parliament. Proroguing effectively means terminating the current session, without actually dissolving it, and having parliament reconvene in a new session. The government would then have the option – if the temporary suspension of the parliament goes smoothly – to re-send the Withdrawal Agreement for a meaningful vote to a newly-convened parliament. This may not occur in time for the looming exit deadline, and May is unlikely to attempt to present the deal for a third time, unless the Speaker changes his position. So, May could be obliged to yet again set out for Brussels and some EU national capitals to shore up support for an extension of Article 50. So far, no request to extend Article 50 The EU has not yet received a formal request for an extension of Article 50, even though the House of Commons voted last week for such an extension and May has now indicated she will request one. Nathalie Loiseau, the French Minister for the EU, said, “No such request has been made”. Perhaps giving a sense of the frustration in some EU capitals about the negotiations, Loiseau revealed she has called her cat Brexit because it is indecisive, as it “meows loudly to be let out each morning, but then refuses to go outside when she opens the door”. The EU would no doubt request that an extension be fully justified – and there is little European appetite to reopen negotiations with Britain. The EU has been preparing for Brexit for some time. It is conceivable that Theresa May could seek to justify a request that Article 50 be extended well beyond the 30 June 2019 date currently under discussion in the UK. But there are major problems with this, as the UK would need to take part in the European Parliament elections to take place in May this year. It could also be obliged to contribute to the new EU budget round, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework. The Brexit saga continues Of course, the idea of voting more than once on a Brexit deal in Parliament raises again the call for a second referendum on EU membership by the people – a people’s vote. Alternatively, the UK could remain in the EU and revoke Article 50. A recent court ruling that this does not require the consent of the other 27 EU states has emboldened those who are campaigning for a new referendum – although it is far from clear what questions would appear on the ballot paper. The possibility of Theresa May resigning is never far from the minds of her detractors – whether the European Research Group in her own party, or the Labour party leadership under Jeremy Corbyn. Meanwhile, the UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox has announced a trade deal that has just been initialled with Iceland and Norway. He stated that this was in addition to the agreement signed with Liechtenstein. At least Norway and Iceland are larger than Liechtenstein, a country of fewer than 38,000 people – famous for being the world’s largest exporter of false teeth. These new trading partners are considerably smaller than the EU Single Market of over 500 million that the UK currently belongs to. They will certainly not fill the huge void left by Brexit. Yet again, Theresa May’s government is no doubt hoping for just One Perfect Day, but it is not looking likely at the moment. (Philomena Murray is Professor, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

What options does the UK have before the Brexit deadline?

European Council president Donald Tusk said Wednesday that<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/requested-brexit-delay-until-june-30-uk-pm-theresa-may-to-european-union-leaders-204557"> EU leaders could approve a short delay </a>to Brexit if British lawmakers finally approve the withdrawal deal they have twice rejected.

"In the light of the consultations I have conducted over the past days, I believe a short extension will be possible but it will be conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons," Tusk told reporters.

Prime Minister Theresa May had asked the EU on Wednesday to delay <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pound-slides-after-uk-requests-brexit-delay-204577">Brexit until June 30 </a>as she scrambled to contain a deepening political crisis, but faced warnings that Britain could still crash out of the bloc in nine days.

The pound plunged on currency markets as European Union leaders and British parliamentarians responded with scepticism to her request, made ahead of a Brussels leaders' summit on Thursday.

Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, a divorce deal negotiated by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country.

She is seeking to put back the March 29 exit date to try one more time to get her agreement passed, but said any further postponement would undermine voters' trust.

In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also had a tough message.

"A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," he told parliament.

In her letter to Tusk -- addressed as "Dear Donald" -- May said she intended to bring her deal back to the Commons "as soon as possible", arguing that if it passed, she would need the delay until June 30 to implement the treaty.

If the text is rejected a third time, May said MPs would have to decide what happened next.

"As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said, in comments interpreted as a hint about her own future.

She said delaying any longer would require Britain to hold elections for the European Parliament, which would be "unacceptable".

However, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks".

In a phone call with May on Wednesday, Juncker urged her not to set a date that was beyond the European Parliament elections, due to be held between May 23rd and May 26th.

European Council president Donald Tusk said Wednesday that EU leaders could approve a short delay to Brexit if British lawmakers finally approve the withdrawal deal they have twice rejected.

European Council president Donald Tusk said Wednesday that EU leaders could approve a short delay to Brexit if British lawmakers finally approve the withdrawal deal they have twice rejected. "In the light of the consultations I have conducted over the past days, I believe a short extension will be possible but it will be conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons," Tusk told reporters. Prime Minister Theresa May had asked the EU on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as she scrambled to contain a deepening political crisis, but faced warnings that Britain could still crash out of the bloc in nine days. The pound plunged on currency markets as European Union leaders and British parliamentarians responded with scepticism to her request, made ahead of a Brussels leaders' summit on Thursday. Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, a divorce deal negotiated by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country. She is seeking to put back the March 29 exit date to try one more time to get her agreement passed, but said any further postponement would undermine voters' trust. In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also had a tough message. "A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," he told parliament. In her letter to Tusk -- addressed as "Dear Donald" -- May said she intended to bring her deal back to the Commons "as soon as possible", arguing that if it passed, she would need the delay until June 30 to implement the treaty. If the text is rejected a third time, May said MPs would have to decide what happened next. "As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said, in comments interpreted as a hint about her own future. She said delaying any longer would require Britain to hold elections for the European Parliament, which would be "unacceptable". However, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks". In a phone call with May on Wednesday, Juncker urged her not to set a date that was beyond the European Parliament elections, due to be held between May 23rd and May 26th.

Short extension possible on Brexit if British lawmakers approve withdrawal deal: European Council president Tusk

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake.

"I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit (of Britain from the European Union)," she told a conference in Berlin.

"We don't have a lot of time for it but still have a few days."

Merkel admitted she had been surprised by the bombshell announcement on Monday by House of Commons speaker John Bercow that he could not put Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan to another vote in its current form.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-warns-it-could-vote-against-brexit-extension-204598"> France warns it could vote against Brexit extension</a>

"I must confess that I was not familiar with the rules of order of the British parliament from the 17th century," she said with a wry smile.

And she stressed ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels Thursday and Friday at which Brexit is to take centre stage that the ball remained in London's court to plot the way forward.

"I am as of now unable to say what my position will be on Thursday because it depends on what Theresa May presents, what the situation looks like, (and) what may still happen in parliament," she said.

Merkel stressed that avoiding Britain crashing out of the EU without an exit deal was in the fundamental interest of all sides.

"We, together as the other 27 (EU member states), will react in an adequate manner and the less people play guessing games, the easier it will be," she said.

May is still hoping she can get the divorce agreement she struck with the European Union through parliament before March 29, despite MPs having rejected it twice.

But weeks of chaotic political deadlock in parliament have already forced May to concede that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

She had been hoping to ask EU leaders for only a short delay when they meet at the Brussels summit, warning that without a deal, any extension would be lengthy.

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake.

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake. "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit (of Britain from the European Union)," she told a conference in Berlin. "We don't have a lot of time for it but still have a few days." Merkel admitted she had been surprised by the bombshell announcement on Monday by House of Commons speaker John Bercow that he could not put Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan to another vote in its current form. Also read: France warns it could vote against Brexit extension "I must confess that I was not familiar with the rules of order of the British parliament from the 17th century," she said with a wry smile. And she stressed ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels Thursday and Friday at which Brexit is to take centre stage that the ball remained in London's court to plot the way forward. "I am as of now unable to say what my position will be on Thursday because it depends on what Theresa May presents, what the situation looks like, (and) what may still happen in parliament," she said. Merkel stressed that avoiding Britain crashing out of the EU without an exit deal was in the fundamental interest of all sides. "We, together as the other 27 (EU member states), will react in an adequate manner and the less people play guessing games, the easier it will be," she said. May is still hoping she can get the divorce agreement she struck with the European Union through parliament before March 29, despite MPs having rejected it twice. But weeks of chaotic political deadlock in parliament have already forced May to concede that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place. She had been hoping to ask EU leaders for only a short delay when they meet at the Brussels summit, warning that without a deal, any extension would be lengthy.

Angela Merkel says will 'fight to last hour' for orderly Brexit

France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders.

"A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament.

The remarks upped the pressure on the British prime minister ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Brussels which begins Thursday where Brexit is set to top the agenda.

Le Drian said an extension to the March 29 deadline would only be granted if May agreed to three conditions.

First, that any extension only be given to approve an exit deal negotiated by May and the other 27 European Union members, which has twice been rejected by British lawmakers.

Secondly, that May not seek to renegotiate the deal.&nbsp;

And thirdly that Britain not participate in elections for the European Parliament which are scheduled for May 23-26.

France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders.

France warned Wednesday it might vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its planned EU departure date unless Theresa May presents a credible exit strategy to fellow European leaders. "A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament. The remarks upped the pressure on the British prime minister ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Brussels which begins Thursday where Brexit is set to top the agenda. Le Drian said an extension to the March 29 deadline would only be granted if May agreed to three conditions. First, that any extension only be given to approve an exit deal negotiated by May and the other 27 European Union members, which has twice been rejected by British lawmakers. Secondly, that May not seek to renegotiate the deal. And thirdly that Britain not participate in elections for the European Parliament which are scheduled for May 23-26.

France warns it could vote against Brexit extension

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pound-slides-after-uk-requests-brexit-delay-204577">pound plunged on currency markets after the announcement</a>, as the European Commission advised EU leaders that a shorter delay to May 23 or a much longer one until at least the end of 2019 would be preferable.

Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union, a divorce deal negotiated with the EU by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country.

May told a stormy session of parliament that she had written to EU President Donald Tusk "informing him that the UK seeks an extension... to June 30".

She was confronted with a barrage of criticism from Brexit hardliners who wanted her to stick to the March 29 departure date and pro-EU lawmakers who want a long delay that could allow for an overhaul of the strategy.

Faced with the potentially catastrophic impact of Britain leaving its biggest trading partner after 46 years with no agreement in place on March 29, May said she would try one last time to pass her deal through parliament.

If she fails a third time, May said parliament would have to decide what happened next -- but hinted that her own future was on the line.

"As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said.

Delaying any longer would require Britain to hold European Parliament elections at the end of May, which she said would be "unacceptable".

May will travel to Brussels on Thursday for an EU summit where she will put her request in person to the other 27 EU leaders, who must unanimously approve any delay.

But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it was unlikely they would reach a decision without a clear signal from London on what MPs want, suggesting another meeting might be needed next week.

The commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks".

Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said Juncker in a phone-call on Wednesday "warned" May against proposing an extension date that was after European elections.

'End of the road'

After almost two years of talks, May and the EU struck a divorce agreement late last year, but MPs have overwhelmingly rejected it twice.

Her original plan to hold a third vote this week was dramatically blocked by Commons speaker John Bercow, who said May could not keep bringing the deal back to MPs without changes.

European leaders are now demanding Britain tells them clearly what it wants.

"As long as we don't know what Britain could say yes to, no decision can be taken on our side either," Juncker told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

He said the deal agreed was the final offer, warning: "Nothing more can be done, we've reached the end of the road.&nbsp;

"If other scenarios are being discussed, we'd need a new road."

Juncker said May needed to present Brussels with an agreement approved by parliament as well as "a clear timetable".

Given that this was unlikely before the summit's start on Thursday, "we will probably need to meet again next week".

The pound fell sharply on the news losing about half a pence in the space of 10 minutes after May announced the delay, bringing its loss for the day to around one per cent

'National humiliation'

Brexit-backing British newspapers echoed the general sense of frustration.

The Daily Mail's editorial read: "1,000 days of incompetence, betrayal and now national humiliation... how did victory turn to this?"

In the House of Commons, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed the prime minister's "incompetence, failure and intransigence", saying she refused to accept her deal had failed.

May had previously warned MPs to expect a lengthy Brexit delay if her deal did not pass before this week's EU meeting.

But she opted for a short option after Brexit-backing ministers reportedly said they would not accept a long extension.

This is despite her own deputy, David Lidington, warning that a request for a short delay would likely be rejected by the EU, and could increase the chance of a "no deal".

"When will she develop a backbone and stand up to those who would take this nation to disaster?" Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Pete Wishart asked.

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date.

Prime Minister Theresa May asked sceptical EU leaders on Wednesday to delay Brexit until June 30 as Britain's political crisis deepened just nine days before the scheduled departure date. The pound plunged on currency markets after the announcement, as the European Commission advised EU leaders that a shorter delay to May 23 or a much longer one until at least the end of 2019 would be preferable. Exactly 1,000 days on from Britain's seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union, a divorce deal negotiated with the EU by May is blocked in parliament and uncertainty grips the country. May told a stormy session of parliament that she had written to EU President Donald Tusk "informing him that the UK seeks an extension... to June 30". She was confronted with a barrage of criticism from Brexit hardliners who wanted her to stick to the March 29 departure date and pro-EU lawmakers who want a long delay that could allow for an overhaul of the strategy. Faced with the potentially catastrophic impact of Britain leaving its biggest trading partner after 46 years with no agreement in place on March 29, May said she would try one last time to pass her deal through parliament. If she fails a third time, May said parliament would have to decide what happened next -- but hinted that her own future was on the line. "As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said. Delaying any longer would require Britain to hold European Parliament elections at the end of May, which she said would be "unacceptable". May will travel to Brussels on Thursday for an EU summit where she will put her request in person to the other 27 EU leaders, who must unanimously approve any delay. But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it was unlikely they would reach a decision without a clear signal from London on what MPs want, suggesting another meeting might be needed next week. The commission, the EU's executive arm, said the June 30 date carried "serious legal and political risks". Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said Juncker in a phone-call on Wednesday "warned" May against proposing an extension date that was after European elections. 'End of the road' After almost two years of talks, May and the EU struck a divorce agreement late last year, but MPs have overwhelmingly rejected it twice. Her original plan to hold a third vote this week was dramatically blocked by Commons speaker John Bercow, who said May could not keep bringing the deal back to MPs without changes. European leaders are now demanding Britain tells them clearly what it wants. "As long as we don't know what Britain could say yes to, no decision can be taken on our side either," Juncker told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. He said the deal agreed was the final offer, warning: "Nothing more can be done, we've reached the end of the road. "If other scenarios are being discussed, we'd need a new road." Juncker said May needed to present Brussels with an agreement approved by parliament as well as "a clear timetable". Given that this was unlikely before the summit's start on Thursday, "we will probably need to meet again next week". The pound fell sharply on the news losing about half a pence in the space of 10 minutes after May announced the delay, bringing its loss for the day to around one per cent 'National humiliation' Brexit-backing British newspapers echoed the general sense of frustration. The Daily Mail's editorial read: "1,000 days of incompetence, betrayal and now national humiliation... how did victory turn to this?" In the House of Commons, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed the prime minister's "incompetence, failure and intransigence", saying she refused to accept her deal had failed. May had previously warned MPs to expect a lengthy Brexit delay if her deal did not pass before this week's EU meeting. But she opted for a short option after Brexit-backing ministers reportedly said they would not accept a long extension. This is despite her own deputy, David Lidington, warning that a request for a short delay would likely be rejected by the EU, and could increase the chance of a "no deal". "When will she develop a backbone and stand up to those who would take this nation to disaster?" Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Pete Wishart asked.

European Union leaders warn 'serious risks' as Theresa May seeks Brexit delay until June 30

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/requested-brexit-delay-until-june-30-uk-pm-theresa-may-to-european-union-leaders-204557">May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure</a> until June 30.

On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29.

The European Commission warned in an internal briefing note that delaying Brexit to June 30 would bring "serious legal and political risks".

The EU's executive arm instead urged leaders to choose instead a short delay to May 23 or a longer one at least until the end of this year.

At around 1300 GMT, sterling was down almost one percent in value, sliding to $1.3149, while the euro rose to 86.40 pence. The unit was already in negative territory prior to May's announcement.

Analysts expressed doubt that the delay extension would allow May's Conservative government sufficient time to resolve the crisis.

"The pound's Wednesday only got worse after the confirmation that Theresa May is seeking a short delay from the EU, one that arguably does not give the government enough time to get through a sterling-positive Brexit deal," Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell told AFP.

"It appears that, despite the various votes highlighting MPs unwilling to leave the EU without a deal, that kind of disastrous exit is still very much on the table."

Rebecca O'Keeffe, analyst at online broker Interactive Investor, was similarly downbeat.

"A short delay is being perceived as the worst of all possible worlds for the UK and sterling," she told AFP.

"Rather than resolve the crisis, it suggests that Mrs May is likely to undergo three more months of brinkmanship.

"This will represent one more damaging quarter for UK businesses, especially those who had already implemented plans to cope with an end-March Brexit date.

"So it really is no surprise that the pound is going down, as investors face the prospect of another three months of purgatory."

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure until June 30. On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29.

The British pound fell Wednesday on simmering Brexit tensions after Prime Minister Theresa May asked EU leaders to delay the nation's departure until June 30. On eve of an EU summit in Brussels, May told parliament that she has written to EU President Donald Tusk to ask for the withdrawal date to be moved from March 29. The European Commission warned in an internal briefing note that delaying Brexit to June 30 would bring "serious legal and political risks". The EU's executive arm instead urged leaders to choose instead a short delay to May 23 or a longer one at least until the end of this year. At around 1300 GMT, sterling was down almost one percent in value, sliding to $1.3149, while the euro rose to 86.40 pence. The unit was already in negative territory prior to May's announcement. Analysts expressed doubt that the delay extension would allow May's Conservative government sufficient time to resolve the crisis. "The pound's Wednesday only got worse after the confirmation that Theresa May is seeking a short delay from the EU, one that arguably does not give the government enough time to get through a sterling-positive Brexit deal," Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell told AFP. "It appears that, despite the various votes highlighting MPs unwilling to leave the EU without a deal, that kind of disastrous exit is still very much on the table." Rebecca O'Keeffe, analyst at online broker Interactive Investor, was similarly downbeat. "A short delay is being perceived as the worst of all possible worlds for the UK and sterling," she told AFP. "Rather than resolve the crisis, it suggests that Mrs May is likely to undergo three more months of brinkmanship. "This will represent one more damaging quarter for UK businesses, especially those who had already implemented plans to cope with an end-March Brexit date. "So it really is no surprise that the pound is going down, as investors face the prospect of another three months of purgatory."

Pound slides after UK requests Brexit delay

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-theresa-may-to-urge-european-union-chief-donald-tusk-to-delay-brexit-ahead-of-brussels-summit-204363"> Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed</a>, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit.

"I have a problem here because, to be frank, I have no new information to offer to you," the senior European official told a briefing for reporters ahead of the two-day European Council which will consider any request.

"We have not received a letter from Prime Minister May. We have not received the request from the UK on the extension of Article 50 in any other form," he said, despite reports that May plans to ask her colleagues for more time.

"For the moment, there is no request from the UK. Maybe it will come, maybe it won't come," he said, as May mulled whether to request a short extension to pass Brexit legislation or a long one to rethink Britain's strategy.

Without an extension, Britain will fall out of the European Union in nine days.&nbsp;

"What I can say now? ... I have no basis to speculate about length," the official said.

"I guess the 27 will have a debate on Brexit in light of the state of play of situation."

In London, a Downing Street official told the BBC <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-to-seek-short-brexit-delay-report-204503">May will be seeking a short delay to Brexit</a>.

"PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels.

"There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now.

"They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration."

Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements.

The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time.

She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit.

European Union leaders have not yet received a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May requesting Brexit be postponed, an official said Wednesday, on the eve of their summit. "I have a problem here because, to be frank, I have no new information to offer to you," the senior European official told a briefing for reporters ahead of the two-day European Council which will consider any request. "We have not received a letter from Prime Minister May. We have not received the request from the UK on the extension of Article 50 in any other form," he said, despite reports that May plans to ask her colleagues for more time. "For the moment, there is no request from the UK. Maybe it will come, maybe it won't come," he said, as May mulled whether to request a short extension to pass Brexit legislation or a long one to rethink Britain's strategy. Without an extension, Britain will fall out of the European Union in nine days. "What I can say now? ... I have no basis to speculate about length," the official said. "I guess the 27 will have a debate on Brexit in light of the state of play of situation." In London, a Downing Street official told the BBC May will be seeking a short delay to Brexit. "PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels. "There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now. "They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration." Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements. The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time. She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

European Union still waiting for Brexit delay request

British Prime Minister Theresa May, frustrated with MPs' indecision, will ask Brussels on Wednesday for a short delay to Brexit, the BBC reported, citing a Downing Street official.

With lawmakers deadlocked over the way forward on Britain's 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union -- scheduled to take place in just nine days' time -- May will ask for a short delay, the BBC said.

"PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels.

"There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now.

"They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration."

Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements.

The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time.

She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, frustrated with MPs' indecision, will ask Brussels on Wednesday for a short delay to Brexit, the BBC reported, citing a Downing Street official.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, frustrated with MPs' indecision, will ask Brussels on Wednesday for a short delay to Brexit, the BBC reported, citing a Downing Street official. With lawmakers deadlocked over the way forward on Britain's 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union -- scheduled to take place in just nine days' time -- May will ask for a short delay, the BBC said. "PM won't be asking for a long extension," it quoted a Downing Street official as saying on the eve of a summit with EU leaders in Brussels. "There is a case for giving parliament a bit more time to agree a way forward, but the people of this country have been waiting nearly three years now. "They are fed up with parliament's failure to take a decision and the PM shares their frustration." Exasperated European leaders are demanding London to tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc on March 29, ending its 46-year membership without formal arrangements. The British premier is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected the EU divorce deal for a second time. She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be postponed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

British PM Theresa May to seek short Brexit delay: Report

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - March 19th, 2019

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels.

The letter will be sent before May heads to a Brussels summit on Thursday, where she has already promised to seek what could be a lengthy postponement of Britain's exit from the European Union.

May had hoped to persuade MPs before then to back the divorce agreement she has struck with the EU, but her plan to hold a fresh vote was dramatically blocked by the speaker of the House of Commons.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">As Brexit looms, </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">UK</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306"> unemployment rate hits </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306">44-year</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-uk-unemployment-rate-hits-44-year-low-official-data-204306"> low</a>

Exasperated European leaders are now demanding London tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc in 10 days, ending its 46-year membership of the bloc without formal arrangements.

"If there's no decision and March 29 comes then it's no deal. If Britain decides on nothing then it chooses no deal," French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau told reporters in Brussels.

May's letter to Tusk would come either later Tuesday or on Wednesday, her spokesman said, amid reports she will seek a 12-month delay.

"The prime minister will be writing to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, before European Council begins in relation to an extension of Article 50," the spokesman said.

May is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected her divorce deal for a second time.

She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

But she said that if MPs backed her deal this week, it might only be a short delay to ratify the text.

This plan was scuppered on Monday when Speaker John Bercow delivered a surprise ruling that she could not keep bringing her deal back to MPs without changes.

May had previously warned that without a deal, the EU might impose a lengthy delay.

Asked her view on the current deadlock, May's spokesman noted that she had previously warned MPs that rejecting her deal would spark a "crisis".

"I think events yesterday tell you that that situation has come to pass," he said.

Delay not automatic

Pro-Brexit newspapers condemned Bercow as the "Brexit Destroyer".

But May had been by no means certain of getting her deal through parliament this week, as many Brexit-supporting MPs believe it keeps Britain too closely aligned to the EU.

Talks continue aimed at persuading MPs in her Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to back the text.

And there is speculation that any EU deal she strikes on delaying Brexit might be enough of a change to persuade Bercow to allow another vote on it next week.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit.&nbsp;

"We don't have a lot of time for it, but still have a few days."

But her Europe minister, Michael Roth, warned at a meeting of counterparts in Brussels: "I expect clear and precise proposals by the British government why such an extension is necessary."

This message was repeated by France's Loiseau, while an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "An extension is not for certain or automatic."

'Only deal on the table'

The speaker's ruling added further drama and complexity to an already chaotic Brexit process that has exposed deep rifts in parliament.

MPs still cannot agree how to implement the 2016 referendum, reflecting how voters remain divided almost three years after they voted 52 to 48 percent for Brexit.

May continues to insist that her agreement, covering citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlement, plans for the Irish border and for a post-Brexit transition period, is a good compromise.

She sought and obtained clarifications on the operation of the so-called Irish border "backstop" to appease some of her MPs, but some still want more.

Several Conservative MPs suggested that following Bercow's ruling, May must now return to the negotiating table, even at this late stage.

However, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned: "It is the only deal on the table from the EU -- the EU have been consistent on that.

"Either we back the prime minister's deal and get Brexit over the line or we risk either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all."

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to EU President Donald Tusk with a plan for delaying Brexit beyond March 29, her spokesman said Tuesday, admitting the parliamentary deadlock had reached crisis levels. The letter will be sent before May heads to a Brussels summit on Thursday, where she has already promised to seek what could be a lengthy postponement of Britain's exit from the European Union. May had hoped to persuade MPs before then to back the divorce agreement she has struck with the EU, but her plan to hold a fresh vote was dramatically blocked by the speaker of the House of Commons. Also read: As Brexit looms, UK unemployment rate hits 44-year low Exasperated European leaders are now demanding London tell them clearly what it wants, warning that the risk still remains that Britain could crash out of the bloc in 10 days, ending its 46-year membership of the bloc without formal arrangements. "If there's no decision and March 29 comes then it's no deal. If Britain decides on nothing then it chooses no deal," French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau told reporters in Brussels. May's letter to Tusk would come either later Tuesday or on Wednesday, her spokesman said, amid reports she will seek a 12-month delay. "The prime minister will be writing to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, before European Council begins in relation to an extension of Article 50," the spokesman said. May is struggling to keep control of the Brexit process after MPs last week decisively rejected her divorce deal for a second time. She has reluctantly accepted that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place. But she said that if MPs backed her deal this week, it might only be a short delay to ratify the text. This plan was scuppered on Monday when Speaker John Bercow delivered a surprise ruling that she could not keep bringing her deal back to MPs without changes. May had previously warned that without a deal, the EU might impose a lengthy delay. Asked her view on the current deadlock, May's spokesman noted that she had previously warned MPs that rejecting her deal would spark a "crisis". "I think events yesterday tell you that that situation has come to pass," he said. Delay not automatic Pro-Brexit newspapers condemned Bercow as the "Brexit Destroyer". But May had been by no means certain of getting her deal through parliament this week, as many Brexit-supporting MPs believe it keeps Britain too closely aligned to the EU. Talks continue aimed at persuading MPs in her Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to back the text. And there is speculation that any EU deal she strikes on delaying Brexit might be enough of a change to persuade Bercow to allow another vote on it next week. In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit. "We don't have a lot of time for it, but still have a few days." But her Europe minister, Michael Roth, warned at a meeting of counterparts in Brussels: "I expect clear and precise proposals by the British government why such an extension is necessary." This message was repeated by France's Loiseau, while an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "An extension is not for certain or automatic." 'Only deal on the table' The speaker's ruling added further drama and complexity to an already chaotic Brexit process that has exposed deep rifts in parliament. MPs still cannot agree how to implement the 2016 referendum, reflecting how voters remain divided almost three years after they voted 52 to 48 percent for Brexit. May continues to insist that her agreement, covering citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlement, plans for the Irish border and for a post-Brexit transition period, is a good compromise. She sought and obtained clarifications on the operation of the so-called Irish border "backstop" to appease some of her MPs, but some still want more. Several Conservative MPs suggested that following Bercow's ruling, May must now return to the negotiating table, even at this late stage. However, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned: "It is the only deal on the table from the EU -- the EU have been consistent on that. "Either we back the prime minister's deal and get Brexit over the line or we risk either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all."

UK's Theresa May to urge European Union chief Donald Tusk to delay Brexit ahead of Brussels summit

The British unemployment rate has struck a 44-year low, official data showed Tuesday, despite a broader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/government-cannot-resubmit-same-brexit-deal-in-uk-parliament-speaker-204152">economic slowdown as Brexit looms</a>.

The jobless rate -- or proportion of the workforce that is unemployed -- hit 3.9 per cent in the three months to the end of January, the lowest level since 1975, the Office for National Statistics said.

That followed 4.0 per cent in the three months to December, the ONS added in a statement, while expectations had been for no change.

The total number of unemployed people slid by 35,000 to 1.34 million in the year to January, which was 112,000 lower than a year ago.

Economists said the labour market update painted a bright picture, despite a slowing economy with Britain scheduled to leave the European Union next week.

"A much stronger labour market report than expected -- and particularly impressive given recent slower UK economic activity, heightened Brexit uncertainties and a weaker global economy," said EY economist Howard Archer.

"The latest strong jobs data is somewhat surprising as some surveys had indicated that a growing number of employers are now adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach on employment given the current heightened uncertainties."

The ONS added that wage growth continued to outpace inflation.

Average earnings including bonuses increased by 3.4 per cent in the year to January from a year earlier.

That handed another boost to the purchasing power of workers' salaries.

The British unemployment rate has struck a 44-year low, official data showed Tuesday, despite a broader economic slowdown as Brexit looms. The jobless rate -- or proportion of the workforce that is unemployed -- hit 3.

The British unemployment rate has struck a 44-year low, official data showed Tuesday, despite a broader economic slowdown as Brexit looms. The jobless rate -- or proportion of the workforce that is unemployed -- hit 3.9 per cent in the three months to the end of January, the lowest level since 1975, the Office for National Statistics said. That followed 4.0 per cent in the three months to December, the ONS added in a statement, while expectations had been for no change. The total number of unemployed people slid by 35,000 to 1.34 million in the year to January, which was 112,000 lower than a year ago. Economists said the labour market update painted a bright picture, despite a slowing economy with Britain scheduled to leave the European Union next week. "A much stronger labour market report than expected -- and particularly impressive given recent slower UK economic activity, heightened Brexit uncertainties and a weaker global economy," said EY economist Howard Archer. "The latest strong jobs data is somewhat surprising as some surveys had indicated that a growing number of employers are now adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach on employment given the current heightened uncertainties." The ONS added that wage growth continued to outpace inflation. Average earnings including bonuses increased by 3.4 per cent in the year to January from a year earlier. That handed another boost to the purchasing power of workers' salaries.

As Brexit looms, UK unemployment rate hits 44-year low: Official data

The British government must submit a different<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-ally-floats-idea-of-broader-talks-with-uk-if-brexit-delayed-203652"> proposition to parliament to the one</a> it lost last week if it wants to hold another vote on its Brexit plans, the parliament's speaker, John Bercow, said on Monday.

Bercow, the ultimate arbiter of whether the government can ask parliament again to pass Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to leave the European Union, said ministers could not submit the same proposition again.

"This is my conclusion: if the government wishes to bring forward a new proposition that is neither the same, nor substantially the same as that disposed of by the house on the 12th of March, this would be entirely in order," he said.

"What the government cannot legitimately do is to resubmit to the House (of Commons) the same proposition or substantially the same proposition as that of last week which was rejected by 149 votes."

Meanwhile, Brexit-supporting Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Monday that a bad exit deal was better than staying in the European Union, the strongest hint to date that he might support May's deal.

"This is a bad deal, the only reason for supporting it would be if the alternative was not leaving the European Union. I would prefer to leave now on the 29th of March without a deal and I think most people in Britain would like that too to get this over and done with," he said, adding,"But if the prime minister, off her own volition, is seeking to keep us in the European Union pretty much indefinitely that would be even worse."

German foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Monday it was worthwhile giving more time to reach an agreement with Britain over its exit from the European Union, although a long Brexit extension would be difficult.

"Before we get to a hard Brexit it's worthwhile having another go rather than just arguing about what a hard Brexit means, namely a lot of disadvantages for both sides," Maas told reporters before a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Asked about whether Brexit could be extended beyond the European elections in May, he replied: "The longer the time is pushed back, the more difficult it becomes."

The British government must submit a different proposition to parliament to the one it lost last week if it wants to hold another vote on its Brexit plans, the parliament's speaker, John Bercow, said on Monday.

The British government must submit a different proposition to parliament to the one it lost last week if it wants to hold another vote on its Brexit plans, the parliament's speaker, John Bercow, said on Monday. Bercow, the ultimate arbiter of whether the government can ask parliament again to pass Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to leave the European Union, said ministers could not submit the same proposition again. "This is my conclusion: if the government wishes to bring forward a new proposition that is neither the same, nor substantially the same as that disposed of by the house on the 12th of March, this would be entirely in order," he said. "What the government cannot legitimately do is to resubmit to the House (of Commons) the same proposition or substantially the same proposition as that of last week which was rejected by 149 votes." Meanwhile, Brexit-supporting Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Monday that a bad exit deal was better than staying in the European Union, the strongest hint to date that he might support May's deal. "This is a bad deal, the only reason for supporting it would be if the alternative was not leaving the European Union. I would prefer to leave now on the 29th of March without a deal and I think most people in Britain would like that too to get this over and done with," he said, adding,"But if the prime minister, off her own volition, is seeking to keep us in the European Union pretty much indefinitely that would be even worse." German foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Monday it was worthwhile giving more time to reach an agreement with Britain over its exit from the European Union, although a long Brexit extension would be difficult. "Before we get to a hard Brexit it's worthwhile having another go rather than just arguing about what a hard Brexit means, namely a lot of disadvantages for both sides," Maas told reporters before a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Asked about whether Brexit could be extended beyond the European elections in May, he replied: "The longer the time is pushed back, the more difficult it becomes."

Government cannot resubmit same Brexit deal in UK Parliament: Speaker

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/theresa-mays-brexit-deal-defeat-plunges-uk-into-complete-uncertainty-203013">Theresa May</a>'s government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday.

May is expected to put her divorce deal with the European Union before parliament for a third time this week after lawmakers crushed it twice before.

'We've had one confidence vote already,'&nbsp;Corbyn told Sky News. 'The government is apparently going to bring its proposals once again to parliament this week. I suspect they'll be defeated again, the whole process they are doing is running down the clock.'

'I think at that point a confidence motion would be appropriate. At that point, we should say there has to be a general election.'

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in Theresa May's government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday.

Britain's opposition Labour Party would force a confidence vote in Theresa May's government if the prime minister loses another vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal, leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday. May is expected to put her divorce deal with the European Union before parliament for a third time this week after lawmakers crushed it twice before. 'We've had one confidence vote already,' Corbyn told Sky News. 'The government is apparently going to bring its proposals once again to parliament this week. I suspect they'll be defeated again, the whole process they are doing is running down the clock.' 'I think at that point a confidence motion would be appropriate. At that point, we should say there has to be a general election.'

United Kingdom's Labour will force confidence motion if May's deal fails: Corbyn

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week.

While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020.

In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines."

After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland.

However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal.

Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will.

"Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said.

FUTURE RELATIONSHIP

In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship."

The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border.

"Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted.

He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority."

Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out.

However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline.

Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit.

A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday. A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week. While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020. In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines." After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland. However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal. Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will. "Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said. FUTURE RELATIONSHIP In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship." The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border. "Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted. He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority." Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out. However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline. Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit. A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Merkel ally floats idea of broader talks with UK if Brexit delayed

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics.

Nick Boles has been critical of the threat to leave the EU without a deal and has faced calls from his local party to be removed from his job over his stance.

'I regret that my relationship with you should end in this way. But a politician without principles is worthless.'&nbsp;Boles said in a letter to his local party.

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics.

A lawmaker from Britain's governing Conservatives quit his local party on Saturday because of clashes over Brexit, as the decision to leave the European Union continues to reshape loyalties in the country's politics. Nick Boles has been critical of the threat to leave the EU without a deal and has faced calls from his local party to be removed from his job over his stance. 'I regret that my relationship with you should end in this way. But a politician without principles is worthless.' Boles said in a letter to his local party.

United Kingdom Conservative lawmaker Boles quits local party over Brexit

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week.

Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 — or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time.

Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal.

A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay.

Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-overwhelmingly-against-2nd-brexit-referendum-203391">against a second referendum on EU membership</a>. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People's Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter.

The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date.

May's authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday.

May's spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile".

Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all.

Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society.

Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. [GDP/]

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week.

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week. Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 — or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time. Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal. A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay. Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 against a second referendum on EU membership. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People's Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter. The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date. May's authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday. May's spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile". Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society. Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. [GDP/]

British MPs vote overwhelmingly to delay Brexit 

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