<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-election-disaster-britains-main-parties-to-offer-brexit-clarity-221998">After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity</a>

Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-national-assembly-passes-resolution-to-prevent-forced-conversions-221987">Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions&nbsp;</a>

The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country.

The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/industrial-body-says-modi-needs-to-cut-tax-interest-rates-to-revive-economy-ahead-of-inauguration-222012">Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of &nbsp;inauguration&nbsp;</a>

India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-any-us-trade-talks-must-be-based-on-mutual-respect-221968">China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect'&nbsp;</a>

China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-results-create-vacancies-in-uttar-pradesh-cabinet-first-reshuffle-likely-soon-221963">Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon</a>

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections. Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country. The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion. Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of inauguration India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term. China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect' China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal. Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy&nbsp;Corbyn&nbsp;said on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-ever-more-polarised-as-brexit-party-storms-to-eu-vote-win-221974">Brexit</a>&nbsp;could only be resolved by&nbsp;taking&nbsp;the issue&nbsp;back&nbsp;to the&nbsp;people, either at a new national election or a&nbsp;public&nbsp;vote.

"With the Conservatives disintegrating and unable to govern, and parliament deadlocked, this issue will have to go&nbsp;back&nbsp;to the&nbsp;people, whether through a general&nbsp;election&nbsp;or a public vote," he said in a statement.

"We will not let the continuing chaos in the Conservative Party push our country into a no deal exit from the EU. Parliament can and will prevent such a damaging outcome for jobs and industry in the UK."

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Monday Brexit could only be resolved by taking the issue back to the people, either at a new national election or a public vote.

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Monday Brexit could only be resolved by taking the issue back to the people, either at a new national election or a public vote. "With the Conservatives disintegrating and unable to govern, and parliament deadlocked, this issue will have to go back to the people, whether through a general election or a public vote," he said in a statement. "We will not let the continuing chaos in the Conservative Party push our country into a no deal exit from the EU. Parliament can and will prevent such a damaging outcome for jobs and industry in the UK."

Labour's Corbyn backs taking Brexit back to people, in election or public vote

From migration crisis to Brexit: A look at European Union's 60 years of ups and downs

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-still-has-confidence-in-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-221636">Donald Trump says still has 'confidence' in North Korea's Kim Jong-un</a>

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-leadership-hopefuls-vow-to-succeed-where-theresa-may-failed-on-brexit-221639">UK leadership hopefuls vow to succeed where Theresa May failed on Brexit</a>

The race to become Britain's next premier opened in earnest Saturday with an array of hopefuls promising to succeed where Theresa May failed and finally pull the divided country out of the EU.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-to-meet-nicolas-maduro-envoys-in-oslo-guaido-221654">Venezuela opposition to meet Nicolas Maduro envoys in Oslo: Guaido</a>

Delegates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his rival Juan Guaido will hold their first face-to-face meeting in Oslo next week, the opposition leader said Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-coast-on-high-alert-after-is-boat-reportedly-sets-off-from-sri-lanka-221651">Kerala coast on high alert after IS boat reportedly sets off from Sri Lanka</a>

The Kerala coast has been put on high alert following intelligence reports that boats allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands, police said Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/nepal/british-climber-dies-on-everest-as-death-toll-of-climbers-in-nepal-reaches-18-221644">British climber dies on Everest as death toll of climbers in Nepal reaches 18</a>

A British climber too weak to descend from Mount Everest died on Saturday, officials said, the eighth climber to die on the world’s tallest mountain and the 18th in Nepal`s Himalayas during the current climbing season.

&nbsp;

Donald Trump says still has 'confidence' in North Korea's Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks.

Donald Trump says still has 'confidence' in North Korea's Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks. UK leadership hopefuls vow to succeed where Theresa May failed on Brexit The race to become Britain's next premier opened in earnest Saturday with an array of hopefuls promising to succeed where Theresa May failed and finally pull the divided country out of the EU. Venezuela opposition to meet Nicolas Maduro envoys in Oslo: Guaido Delegates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his rival Juan Guaido will hold their first face-to-face meeting in Oslo next week, the opposition leader said Saturday. Kerala coast on high alert after IS boat reportedly sets off from Sri Lanka The Kerala coast has been put on high alert following intelligence reports that boats allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands, police said Saturday. British climber dies on Everest as death toll of climbers in Nepal reaches 18 A British climber too weak to descend from Mount Everest died on Saturday, officials said, the eighth climber to die on the world’s tallest mountain and the 18th in Nepal`s Himalayas during the current climbing season.

The prospect of a "no deal" Brexit was fast becoming the central battle of the race to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday, as environment minister Michael Gove became the latest candidate to declare.

May said on Friday she was quitting over her failure to deliver Brexit, potentially opening the way for a new leader who could seek a more divisive split with the European Union and lead to confrontation with the bloc or a possible parliamentary election.

Setting out their pitch to the Conservative Party's largely pro-Brexit membership who will decide the outcome of the contest, four of the leadership hopefuls have said Britain must leave the EU on Oct. 31 even if this means a no-deal Brexit.

"I will fight for a fairer deal in Brussels ... if not I will be clear we will leave on WTO terms in October," former Brexit minister Dominic Raab, who bookmakers rank as the second favourite to win, told BBC TV.

"If you're not willing to walk away from a negotiation, it doesn't focus the mind of the other side ... I will not ask for an extension."

Fellow contenders Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom both made similar comments on Sunday, while former foreign minister Boris Johnson, the favourite to replace May, said on Friday: "We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal."

Gove, a leading campaigner for Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign and a candidate in the Conservative leadership contest that May ultimately won, told reporters on Sunday that he planned to run again.

"I am ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit and ready to lead this great country," he said, without giving any detail on his plans for Brexit.

"A dangerous strategy"

The EU has said it will not reopen negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, which has been rejected by parliament three times, while British lawmakers have also repeatedly voted against the prospect of a no-deal exit.

Highlighting the deep splits within the governing party over the way forward on Brexit, several senior Conservatives, including leadership candidate Rory Stewart, on Sunday warned against pursuing the policy of leaving without a deal.

Finance minister Philip Hammond said parliament would be "vehemently opposed" to a no-deal strategy and a prime minister who ignored parliament "cannot expect to survive very long".

"I will urge all of my colleagues who are standing in this contest to embrace the concept of compromise ... going to parliament with a hard line absolutist view and daring parliament to accept it is quite a dangerous strategy," he told BBC TV.

Hammond said he could not support a no-deal strategy but declined to say what he would do if there was a vote of confidence in a government which adopted that policy.

"In 22 years in parliament I have never voted against the Conservatives ... and I don't want to have to start now contemplating such a course of action," he said.

The opposition Labour Party said it was seeking to work with other parties to try and block May's successor from taking Britain out of the EU without a deal.

"There is real threat now of an extremist Brexiteer becoming the leader of the Conservative Party and taking us over the cliff edge of a no deal," Labour's finance spokesman John McDonnell told Sky News. "We have got to move to block a no deal."

The deadlock over Brexit is expected to have hit both main parties when the results of the European Parliament elections are declared from 2100 GMT on Sunday, with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, which backs a no-deal exit, predicted to come out on top.

The prospect of a "no deal" Brexit was fast becoming the central battle of the race to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday, as environment minister Michael Gove became the latest candidate to declare.

The prospect of a "no deal" Brexit was fast becoming the central battle of the race to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday, as environment minister Michael Gove became the latest candidate to declare. May said on Friday she was quitting over her failure to deliver Brexit, potentially opening the way for a new leader who could seek a more divisive split with the European Union and lead to confrontation with the bloc or a possible parliamentary election. Setting out their pitch to the Conservative Party's largely pro-Brexit membership who will decide the outcome of the contest, four of the leadership hopefuls have said Britain must leave the EU on Oct. 31 even if this means a no-deal Brexit. "I will fight for a fairer deal in Brussels ... if not I will be clear we will leave on WTO terms in October," former Brexit minister Dominic Raab, who bookmakers rank as the second favourite to win, told BBC TV. "If you're not willing to walk away from a negotiation, it doesn't focus the mind of the other side ... I will not ask for an extension." Fellow contenders Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom both made similar comments on Sunday, while former foreign minister Boris Johnson, the favourite to replace May, said on Friday: "We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal." Gove, a leading campaigner for Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign and a candidate in the Conservative leadership contest that May ultimately won, told reporters on Sunday that he planned to run again. "I am ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit and ready to lead this great country," he said, without giving any detail on his plans for Brexit. "A dangerous strategy" The EU has said it will not reopen negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, which has been rejected by parliament three times, while British lawmakers have also repeatedly voted against the prospect of a no-deal exit. Highlighting the deep splits within the governing party over the way forward on Brexit, several senior Conservatives, including leadership candidate Rory Stewart, on Sunday warned against pursuing the policy of leaving without a deal. Finance minister Philip Hammond said parliament would be "vehemently opposed" to a no-deal strategy and a prime minister who ignored parliament "cannot expect to survive very long". "I will urge all of my colleagues who are standing in this contest to embrace the concept of compromise ... going to parliament with a hard line absolutist view and daring parliament to accept it is quite a dangerous strategy," he told BBC TV. Hammond said he could not support a no-deal strategy but declined to say what he would do if there was a vote of confidence in a government which adopted that policy. "In 22 years in parliament I have never voted against the Conservatives ... and I don't want to have to start now contemplating such a course of action," he said. The opposition Labour Party said it was seeking to work with other parties to try and block May's successor from taking Britain out of the EU without a deal. "There is real threat now of an extremist Brexiteer becoming the leader of the Conservative Party and taking us over the cliff edge of a no deal," Labour's finance spokesman John McDonnell told Sky News. "We have got to move to block a no deal." The deadlock over Brexit is expected to have hit both main parties when the results of the European Parliament elections are declared from 2100 GMT on Sunday, with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, which backs a no-deal exit, predicted to come out on top.

Race to succeed UK Prime Minister May centres on 'no deal' Brexit battle

The race to become Britain's next premier opened in earnest Saturday with an array of hopefuls promising to succeed where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-annouces-resignation-over-brexit-deal-221263">Theresa May failed</a> and finally pull the divided country out of the EU.

But European leaders insisted they had made their final offer after months of acrimonious talks that produced an unpopular compromise for which May ended up paying with her job.

May is bowing out with her legacy in tatters and the country in agony over what to do about the voters' decision in 2016 to abandon the European integration project after nearly 50 years.

The markets view the risk of Britain crashing out of the EU bloc when the twice-delayed departure date arrives on October 31 as uncomfortably high.

Their main concern is that some of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/race-to-replace-theresa-may-leaves-brexit-in-limbo-221489">current frontrunners</a> to head May's Conservative Party say they will get Brexit done at any cost.

"We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal," former foreign minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-boris-johnson-lied-in-brexit-campaign-court-hears-221247">Boris Johnson</a> said Friday in Switzerland.

Johnson's main challenges will come from former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab -- viewed as an even more committed eurosceptic -- and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Both declared their candidacies in the Sunday papers.

Raab wrote in The Mail on Sunday that "I would prefer that we leave with a deal".

But "we will not be taken seriously in Brussels unless we are clear that we will walk away on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms if the EU doesn't budge," Raab stressed.

Hunt had campaigned against Brexit in 2016 but has since reversed his stance.

"What matters is whether you believe in Brexit, not how you voted in 2016," he told The Sunday Times.

"We can never take no-deal off the table but the best way of avoiding it is to make sure you have someone who is capable of negotiating a deal," Britain's top diplomat said.

'Enthusiastic about Brexit'

Brexit-backing Environment Secretary Michael Gove is also expected to throw his hat in the ring in a BBC interview to be aired on Sunday evening.

The Sunday Times said Grove will argue that he has "a better track record" and is more "capable" than the other leading contenders for May's post.

The contest is being held against the backdrop of European Parliament elections that the new Brexit Party of the anti-EU populist Nigel Farage is expected to win with about a third of the vote.

Polls indicate that the Conservatives will be punished for their bickering over Brexit and could finish as low as fifth -- their worst result in a national election.

The candidates are also mindful of a party revolt over May's fateful decision to court the pro-EU opposition with the promise of a second Brexit referendum.

The concession was designed to help ram her withdrawal agreement through parliament on the fourth attempt.

But it won her no converts and sparked a party coup attempt that forced May to walk away before she was pushed out.

This prompted more EU-friendly hopefuls such as Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd to concede Saturday that they stood no chance and would not vie for the job.

"I am conscious the Conservative Party wants someone who they believe is very enthusiastic about Brexit," Rudd told The Daily Telegraph.

Johnson is a popular figure viewed by many Conservatives as their best answer to Farage.

But a long political career that also saw him serve as London's mayor has made him enemies in parliament who will try to block his rise to the top.

Dark horses

Parliamentary party members will begin whittling down the field of contenders to a final two on June 10.

The finalists will then be put to a postal ballot of around 100,000 party members in July.

The field grew further on Saturday when Health Secretary Matt Hancock entered the race with a promise to take a more moderate approach.

Leaving the European Union without an agreement is "not an active policy choice that is available to the next prime minister," Hancock told Sky News.

Hancock is view as one of the dark horses who might make it through a crowded field of more than a dozen names.

International Development Secretary Rory Stewart is also positioning himself as a more consensus-seeking alternative to Johnson.

"It now seems that (Johnson) is coming out for a no-deal Brexit," Stewart told BBC radio.

"I think it would be a huge mistake. Damaging, unnecessary, and I think also dishonest."

Yet neither Hancock nor Stewart would say if they would push ahead with May's current agreement or try to secure added concessions from Brussels. 
&nbsp;

The race to become Britain's next premier opened in earnest Saturday with an array of hopefuls promising to succeed where Theresa May failed and finally pull the divided country out of the EU.

The race to become Britain's next premier opened in earnest Saturday with an array of hopefuls promising to succeed where Theresa May failed and finally pull the divided country out of the EU. But European leaders insisted they had made their final offer after months of acrimonious talks that produced an unpopular compromise for which May ended up paying with her job. May is bowing out with her legacy in tatters and the country in agony over what to do about the voters' decision in 2016 to abandon the European integration project after nearly 50 years. The markets view the risk of Britain crashing out of the EU bloc when the twice-delayed departure date arrives on October 31 as uncomfortably high. Their main concern is that some of the current frontrunners to head May's Conservative Party say they will get Brexit done at any cost. "We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal," former foreign minister Boris Johnson said Friday in Switzerland. Johnson's main challenges will come from former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab -- viewed as an even more committed eurosceptic -- and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Both declared their candidacies in the Sunday papers. Raab wrote in The Mail on Sunday that "I would prefer that we leave with a deal". But "we will not be taken seriously in Brussels unless we are clear that we will walk away on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms if the EU doesn't budge," Raab stressed. Hunt had campaigned against Brexit in 2016 but has since reversed his stance. "What matters is whether you believe in Brexit, not how you voted in 2016," he told The Sunday Times. "We can never take no-deal off the table but the best way of avoiding it is to make sure you have someone who is capable of negotiating a deal," Britain's top diplomat said. 'Enthusiastic about Brexit' Brexit-backing Environment Secretary Michael Gove is also expected to throw his hat in the ring in a BBC interview to be aired on Sunday evening. The Sunday Times said Grove will argue that he has "a better track record" and is more "capable" than the other leading contenders for May's post. The contest is being held against the backdrop of European Parliament elections that the new Brexit Party of the anti-EU populist Nigel Farage is expected to win with about a third of the vote. Polls indicate that the Conservatives will be punished for their bickering over Brexit and could finish as low as fifth -- their worst result in a national election. The candidates are also mindful of a party revolt over May's fateful decision to court the pro-EU opposition with the promise of a second Brexit referendum. The concession was designed to help ram her withdrawal agreement through parliament on the fourth attempt. But it won her no converts and sparked a party coup attempt that forced May to walk away before she was pushed out. This prompted more EU-friendly hopefuls such as Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd to concede Saturday that they stood no chance and would not vie for the job. "I am conscious the Conservative Party wants someone who they believe is very enthusiastic about Brexit," Rudd told The Daily Telegraph. Johnson is a popular figure viewed by many Conservatives as their best answer to Farage. But a long political career that also saw him serve as London's mayor has made him enemies in parliament who will try to block his rise to the top. Dark horses Parliamentary party members will begin whittling down the field of contenders to a final two on June 10. The finalists will then be put to a postal ballot of around 100,000 party members in July. The field grew further on Saturday when Health Secretary Matt Hancock entered the race with a promise to take a more moderate approach. Leaving the European Union without an agreement is "not an active policy choice that is available to the next prime minister," Hancock told Sky News. Hancock is view as one of the dark horses who might make it through a crowded field of more than a dozen names. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart is also positioning himself as a more consensus-seeking alternative to Johnson. "It now seems that (Johnson) is coming out for a no-deal Brexit," Stewart told BBC radio. "I think it would be a huge mistake. Damaging, unnecessary, and I think also dishonest." Yet neither Hancock nor Stewart would say if they would push ahead with May's current agreement or try to secure added concessions from Brussels.

UK leadership hopefuls vow to succeed where Theresa May failed on Brexit

Contenders to succeed Theresa May as Britain's prime minister prepared to launch their leadership campaigns on Saturday, leaving Brexit shrouded in uncertainty.

A<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-annouces-resignation-over-brexit-deal-221263"> tearful May announced her resignation </a>on Friday, leaving the Brexit process for exiting the European Union in limbo and raising the risk of Britain crashing out of the bloc in a few months.

May's statement inevitably triggered the starting gun on a two-month contest to replace her.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-theresa-may-three-tumultuous-downing-street-years-221355">May will step down</a> as Conservative leader on June 7 but stay on as prime minister until party members have chosen her successor, which will happen by July 20.

Britain's EU departure date is currently fixed for October 31, although any new leader could ask for a further delay.

Conservative Party leadership contests are typically bloodthirsty affairs, with plot twists and betrayals.

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the bookmakers' odds-on favourite, ahead of former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab.

Both have embraced the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

But whoever takes over from May will like her face the same razor-thin majority in parliament, an EU with no intention of changing the divorce offer that MPs have rejected three times, and proponents both for and against Brexit who will never compromise.

Main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said whoever wins the contest should call an immediate general election.

That too would be a risky move, with the newly-formed, single-issue Brexit Party set to triumph in the European Parliament elections when the results become clear on Monday.

Waiting in the wings

Raab as well as Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Environment Secretary Michael Gove all held off from throwing their hats in the ring on Friday, but are widely expected to stand.

The next prime minister of the UK, a country of more than 66 million people, will be decided by the 100,000 or so paid-up members of the Conservative Party.

After Johnson and Raab, the next most likely winners are Gove, Hunt and former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, bookmakers say.

They are followed by International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

So far, only Johnson, Stewart and former pensions minister Esther McVey have declared their intention to stand.

"There's a lot of runners and riders in this particular race," Tony Travers, a politics professor at the London School of Economics University, told AFP.

Johnson "would certainly be the party membership's choice but not necessarily members of parliament", he added.

With the House of Commons' arithmetic unchanged, "the question is, could a new prime minister go back to the EU 27 and get a different deal that would be more attractive to parliament," Travers said.

A snap YouGov poll of 2,200 adults on Friday found 67 per cent thought May had made the right choice in standing down.

At the same time, May told her local party branch that she would stay on in parliament and remain an MP.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, calling for a second Brexit referendum, said the new prime minister could not go for a no-deal Brexit.

"If they opt for confrontation, they will suffer Mrs May's fate, but in a matter of months and weeks, not years," he said.

Deep regret

In an emotional address outside her Downing Street Office on Friday, May ended a dramatic three-year tenure of near-constant crisis over Brexit.

May, who took charge in the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum, was forced out following a Conservative mutiny over her ill-fated strategy to end Britain's near five-decade membership of the EU.

"It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," said May.

"I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold.

"I do so with no ill-will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love," she said, her voice breaking and close to tears.

May was hastily pushed into the humiliating spectacle after a meeting with the Conservative Party's committee chief in charge of leadership elections.

Her fourth bid to get MPs to agree to her EU divorce deal, this time with changes seeking to woo the opposition, went too far for many key cabinet members and her last remaining authority had all but evaporated.

With her resignation, the manner of Britain's withdrawal from the EU appears more ambiguous than ever.&nbsp;

Contenders to succeed Theresa May as Britain's prime minister prepared to launch their leadership campaigns on Saturday, leaving Brexit shrouded in uncertainty. A tearful May announced her resignation on Friday, leaving the Brexit process for exiting the European Union in limbo and raising the risk of Britain crashing out of the bloc in a few months.

Contenders to succeed Theresa May as Britain's prime minister prepared to launch their leadership campaigns on Saturday, leaving Brexit shrouded in uncertainty. A tearful May announced her resignation on Friday, leaving the Brexit process for exiting the European Union in limbo and raising the risk of Britain crashing out of the bloc in a few months. May's statement inevitably triggered the starting gun on a two-month contest to replace her. May will step down as Conservative leader on June 7 but stay on as prime minister until party members have chosen her successor, which will happen by July 20. Britain's EU departure date is currently fixed for October 31, although any new leader could ask for a further delay. Conservative Party leadership contests are typically bloodthirsty affairs, with plot twists and betrayals. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the bookmakers' odds-on favourite, ahead of former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab. Both have embraced the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. But whoever takes over from May will like her face the same razor-thin majority in parliament, an EU with no intention of changing the divorce offer that MPs have rejected three times, and proponents both for and against Brexit who will never compromise. Main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said whoever wins the contest should call an immediate general election. That too would be a risky move, with the newly-formed, single-issue Brexit Party set to triumph in the European Parliament elections when the results become clear on Monday. Waiting in the wings Raab as well as Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Environment Secretary Michael Gove all held off from throwing their hats in the ring on Friday, but are widely expected to stand. The next prime minister of the UK, a country of more than 66 million people, will be decided by the 100,000 or so paid-up members of the Conservative Party. After Johnson and Raab, the next most likely winners are Gove, Hunt and former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, bookmakers say. They are followed by International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid. So far, only Johnson, Stewart and former pensions minister Esther McVey have declared their intention to stand. "There's a lot of runners and riders in this particular race," Tony Travers, a politics professor at the London School of Economics University, told AFP. Johnson "would certainly be the party membership's choice but not necessarily members of parliament", he added. With the House of Commons' arithmetic unchanged, "the question is, could a new prime minister go back to the EU 27 and get a different deal that would be more attractive to parliament," Travers said. A snap YouGov poll of 2,200 adults on Friday found 67 per cent thought May had made the right choice in standing down. At the same time, May told her local party branch that she would stay on in parliament and remain an MP. Labour MP Chris Bryant, calling for a second Brexit referendum, said the new prime minister could not go for a no-deal Brexit. "If they opt for confrontation, they will suffer Mrs May's fate, but in a matter of months and weeks, not years," he said. Deep regret In an emotional address outside her Downing Street Office on Friday, May ended a dramatic three-year tenure of near-constant crisis over Brexit. May, who took charge in the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum, was forced out following a Conservative mutiny over her ill-fated strategy to end Britain's near five-decade membership of the EU. "It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," said May. "I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. "I do so with no ill-will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love," she said, her voice breaking and close to tears. May was hastily pushed into the humiliating spectacle after a meeting with the Conservative Party's committee chief in charge of leadership elections. Her fourth bid to get MPs to agree to her EU divorce deal, this time with changes seeking to woo the opposition, went too far for many key cabinet members and her last remaining authority had all but evaporated. With her resignation, the manner of Britain's withdrawal from the EU appears more ambiguous than ever.

Race to replace Theresa May leaves Brexit in limbo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/race-to-replace-theresa-may-leaves-brexit-in-limbo-221489">The contest to replace Theresa May</a> as British prime minister hotted up on Saturday with five candidates now vying for a job whose central task will be to find a way to take a divided Britain out of the European Union.

May announced on Friday she was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choking-back-tears-britains-theresa-may-says-goodbye-to-downing-street-221288">quitting over her failure to deliver Brexit</a>, raising the prospect of a new leader who could seek a more divisive split with the EU which could lead to confrontation with the bloc or a possible parliamentary election.

British health minister Matt Hancock became the latest figure to join the contest to replace May, following former foreign minister Boris Johnson, current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and former work and pensions minister Esther McVey.

About a dozen contenders in total are thought to be considering a tilt at the leadership, with trade minister Liam Fox and former junior Brexit minister Steve Baker not ruling out a challenge when asked on Saturday.

May failed three times to get a divorce deal she agreed with the EU through parliament because of deep, long-term divisions in the Conservative Party over Europe. It meant the original exit date of March 29 has been extended until Oct. 31 to see if any compromise could be reached.

All those standing say they can succeed where she failed, although the EU has said it would not renegotiate the treaty it had agreed with May.

"Of course we have to deliver Brexit and I will," Hancock told BBC radio. "We have to propose a deal that will get through this parliament. We have to be brutally honest about the trade-offs."

The issue is set to dominate the contest which will begin in the week of June 10 when Conservative lawmakers begin to whittle down the field before party members choose the winner from the final two candidates.

JOHNSON THE FAVOURITE

Surveys have suggested that the members are overwhelmingly pro-Brexit and in favour of leaving the EU without a deal.

Boris Johnson is the clear favourite with bookmakers and he has said Britain should be prepared to exit the bloc without any deal if no acceptable agreement could be reached.

"We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal," Johnson told an economic conference in Switzerland on Friday.

The party's divisions over the EU has led to the demise of its last four prime ministers - May, David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Thatcher - and there is little indication these schisms will be healed soon.

"There are huge tensions in this race which are that people will be encouraged to promise things they can't deliver, of those probably the most dramatic are people who are going to be encouraged to promise a no-deal Brexit," one of the contenders, Rory Stewart, told BBC radio.

While parliament repeatedly rejected May's accord, lawmakers have also previously voted against leaving without any deal. Stewart said he could not serve in a Johnson government that was prepared to accept a no-deal Brexit.

"I think it would be a huge mistake, damaging, unnecessary and I think also dishonest," Stewart said.

With no majority in parliament, the Conservatives only govern with the support of the small Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, a factor that has constantly weakened May's hand.

The opposition Labour Party, which called for an immediate election after May's announcement, said it would seek a vote of no confidence in the government if it looked like it might pass, while it has also not ruled out backing a second referendum.

"It looks almost certain we're going to be faced with a Conservative leader who is a hard Brexiteer willing to take the country over the edge of a no-deal no matter what the damage to jobs or people's livelihoods," Labour finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC radio.

"Faced with that situation, I think there may well be a majority in the House of Commons willing to bring about some form of public vote and that could include a general election."

The contest to replace Theresa May as British prime minister hotted up on Saturday with five candidates now vying for a job whose central task will be to find a way to take a divided Britain out of the European Union.

The contest to replace Theresa May as British prime minister hotted up on Saturday with five candidates now vying for a job whose central task will be to find a way to take a divided Britain out of the European Union. May announced on Friday she was quitting over her failure to deliver Brexit, raising the prospect of a new leader who could seek a more divisive split with the EU which could lead to confrontation with the bloc or a possible parliamentary election. British health minister Matt Hancock became the latest figure to join the contest to replace May, following former foreign minister Boris Johnson, current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and former work and pensions minister Esther McVey. About a dozen contenders in total are thought to be considering a tilt at the leadership, with trade minister Liam Fox and former junior Brexit minister Steve Baker not ruling out a challenge when asked on Saturday. May failed three times to get a divorce deal she agreed with the EU through parliament because of deep, long-term divisions in the Conservative Party over Europe. It meant the original exit date of March 29 has been extended until Oct. 31 to see if any compromise could be reached. All those standing say they can succeed where she failed, although the EU has said it would not renegotiate the treaty it had agreed with May. "Of course we have to deliver Brexit and I will," Hancock told BBC radio. "We have to propose a deal that will get through this parliament. We have to be brutally honest about the trade-offs." The issue is set to dominate the contest which will begin in the week of June 10 when Conservative lawmakers begin to whittle down the field before party members choose the winner from the final two candidates. JOHNSON THE FAVOURITE Surveys have suggested that the members are overwhelmingly pro-Brexit and in favour of leaving the EU without a deal. Boris Johnson is the clear favourite with bookmakers and he has said Britain should be prepared to exit the bloc without any deal if no acceptable agreement could be reached. "We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal," Johnson told an economic conference in Switzerland on Friday. The party's divisions over the EU has led to the demise of its last four prime ministers - May, David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Thatcher - and there is little indication these schisms will be healed soon. "There are huge tensions in this race which are that people will be encouraged to promise things they can't deliver, of those probably the most dramatic are people who are going to be encouraged to promise a no-deal Brexit," one of the contenders, Rory Stewart, told BBC radio. While parliament repeatedly rejected May's accord, lawmakers have also previously voted against leaving without any deal. Stewart said he could not serve in a Johnson government that was prepared to accept a no-deal Brexit. "I think it would be a huge mistake, damaging, unnecessary and I think also dishonest," Stewart said. With no majority in parliament, the Conservatives only govern with the support of the small Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, a factor that has constantly weakened May's hand. The opposition Labour Party, which called for an immediate election after May's announcement, said it would seek a vote of no confidence in the government if it looked like it might pass, while it has also not ruled out backing a second referendum. "It looks almost certain we're going to be faced with a Conservative leader who is a hard Brexiteer willing to take the country over the edge of a no-deal no matter what the damage to jobs or people's livelihoods," Labour finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC radio. "Faced with that situation, I think there may well be a majority in the House of Commons willing to bring about some form of public vote and that could include a general election."

Contest to replace May as British prime minister hots up

I feel bad for Theresa May: World reacts to UK PM's resignation over Brexit

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-annouces-resignation-over-brexit-deal-221263">Theresa&nbsp;May</a>&nbsp;bowed out after nearly&nbsp;three&nbsp;years&nbsp;as prime minister on Friday, defeated by her inability to deliver Brexit.

Here are highlights of her&nbsp;tumultuous&nbsp;time in office:

July 13, 2016 - In her first speech as prime minister,&nbsp;May&nbsp;appears in&nbsp;Downing&nbsp;Street, pledging to fight the "burning injustices" that hold people back. She promises "a country that works for everyone" but will, in fact, find herself spending much of her time struggling with Brexit.

Jan 18, 2017 - A triumphant&nbsp;May&nbsp;is portrayed on the front page of the Daily Mail next to the headline "Steel of the New Iron Lady". She has just given a defiant speech, telling Brussels,&nbsp;"No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain."

May&nbsp;22, 2017 -&nbsp;May&nbsp;is forced to backtrack on an election pledge to force the elderly to pay more for care after her opinion poll lead fell by half. "Nothing has changed," she says to general incredulity.

June 4, 2017 - Responding to Britain's third militant attack in&nbsp;three&nbsp;months - the killing of seven people at London Bridge -&nbsp;May&nbsp;declared "enough is enough" and added,&nbsp;"Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time."

June 8, 2017 - Despite an apparently impregnable opinion poll lead,&nbsp;May&nbsp;loses her parliamentary majority in a general election called early. Despite repeated promises of a "strong and stable" government, her authority is in tatters.

Oct 3, 2017 -&nbsp;May's big speech to the Conservative Party conference was interrupted by repeated coughing fits, a prankster, and even letters of her slogan falling off the stage scenery. As a bid to reassert herself, it had limited success.

Oct 3, 2018 -&nbsp;May&nbsp;startles the audience at the Conservative Party conference when she appears on stage for a speech jigging to Abba's "Dancing Queen". It was apparently a self-deprecating reference to her dancing during a recent visit to Africa, but she was nonetheless widely mocked.

Dec 14, 2018 - A furious&nbsp;May&nbsp;is embroiled in a public row with Jean-Claude Juncker at a Brussels summit after the EU chief publicly called Britain's Brexit demands "nebulous" and "vague". Juncker joked that they had later kissed and made up, but the incident showed that relations were sub-optimal.

Dec 17, 2018 - At an EU summit in Salzburg, an unforgiving photo shows a red-jacketed&nbsp;May&nbsp;cold-shouldered by a phalanx of male leaders in dark suits.

Jan 19, 2019 - Lawmakers vote down&nbsp;May's Brexit divorce deal by the crushing margin of 432 to 202, the worst such defeat in modern British history. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn calls a vote of no confidence, which&nbsp;May&nbsp;however survives.

May&nbsp;21, 2019 - In a last roll of the dice,&nbsp;May&nbsp;promises a "new deal" on Brexit. It is immediately rejected by large numbers of Conservative lawmakers and the opposition Labour Party.

May&nbsp;24, 2019 -&nbsp;May&nbsp;announces she will quit on June 7, her voice breaking with emotion during a&nbsp;Downing&nbsp;Street&nbsp;address to the nation. She describes herself as "the second female prime minister, but certainly not the last".

Theresa May bowed out after nearly three years as prime minister on Friday, defeated by her inability to deliver Brexit. Here are highlights of her tumultuous time in office: July 13, 2016 - In her first speech as prime minister, May appears in Downing Street, pledging to fight the "burning injustices" that hold people back.

Theresa May bowed out after nearly three years as prime minister on Friday, defeated by her inability to deliver Brexit. Here are highlights of her tumultuous time in office: July 13, 2016 - In her first speech as prime minister, May appears in Downing Street, pledging to fight the "burning injustices" that hold people back. She promises "a country that works for everyone" but will, in fact, find herself spending much of her time struggling with Brexit. Jan 18, 2017 - A triumphant May is portrayed on the front page of the Daily Mail next to the headline "Steel of the New Iron Lady". She has just given a defiant speech, telling Brussels, "No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain." May 22, 2017 - May is forced to backtrack on an election pledge to force the elderly to pay more for care after her opinion poll lead fell by half. "Nothing has changed," she says to general incredulity. June 4, 2017 - Responding to Britain's third militant attack in three months - the killing of seven people at London Bridge - May declared "enough is enough" and added, "Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time." June 8, 2017 - Despite an apparently impregnable opinion poll lead, May loses her parliamentary majority in a general election called early. Despite repeated promises of a "strong and stable" government, her authority is in tatters. Oct 3, 2017 - May's big speech to the Conservative Party conference was interrupted by repeated coughing fits, a prankster, and even letters of her slogan falling off the stage scenery. As a bid to reassert herself, it had limited success. Oct 3, 2018 - May startles the audience at the Conservative Party conference when she appears on stage for a speech jigging to Abba's "Dancing Queen". It was apparently a self-deprecating reference to her dancing during a recent visit to Africa, but she was nonetheless widely mocked. Dec 14, 2018 - A furious May is embroiled in a public row with Jean-Claude Juncker at a Brussels summit after the EU chief publicly called Britain's Brexit demands "nebulous" and "vague". Juncker joked that they had later kissed and made up, but the incident showed that relations were sub-optimal. Dec 17, 2018 - At an EU summit in Salzburg, an unforgiving photo shows a red-jacketed May cold-shouldered by a phalanx of male leaders in dark suits. Jan 19, 2019 - Lawmakers vote down May's Brexit divorce deal by the crushing margin of 432 to 202, the worst such defeat in modern British history. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn calls a vote of no confidence, which May however survives. May 21, 2019 - In a last roll of the dice, May promises a "new deal" on Brexit. It is immediately rejected by large numbers of Conservative lawmakers and the opposition Labour Party. May 24, 2019 - May announces she will quit on June 7, her voice breaking with emotion during a Downing Street address to the nation. She describes herself as "the second female prime minister, but certainly not the last".

Timeline: Theresa May's three tumultuous years at Downing Street

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choking-back-tears-britains-theresa-may-says-goodbye-to-downing-street-221288">Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her&nbsp;resignation&nbsp;speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-fire-breaks-out-at-surat-building-8-killed-several-injured-221344">15 dead, several injured in major fire in Surat building</a>

At least 15 died following a major fire at a building in Sarthana area of Surat, Gujarat on Friday evening.&nbsp;Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra confirmed the death of 15 people adding that the toll might go up.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-cabinet-passes-resolution-to-dissolve-16th-lok-sabha-221359">Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha</a>

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bomb-kills-at-least-one-during-friday-prayers-at-mosque-in-afghan-capital-ministry-221277">Bomb kills senior cleric during Friday prayers at Afghan mosque</a>

A bomb killed a senior Islamic preacher and wounded at least 16 devotees inside a mosque in the Afghan capital during Friday prayers, interior ministry officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">North Korea blames US for failed summit, urges 'new calculation'</a>

North Korea&nbsp;said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US&nbsp;position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second&nbsp;North Korea-US&nbsp;summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love". 15 dead, several injured in major fire in Surat building At least 15 died following a major fire at a building in Sarthana area of Surat, Gujarat on Friday evening. Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra confirmed the death of 15 people adding that the toll might go up. Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections. Bomb kills senior cleric during Friday prayers at Afghan mosque A bomb killed a senior Islamic preacher and wounded at least 16 devotees inside a mosque in the Afghan capital during Friday prayers, interior ministry officials said. North Korea blames US for failed summit, urges 'new calculation' North Korea said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second North Korea-US summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

By Nicholas Allen

Europe has claimed the career of yet another Conservative prime minister. After less than three years in office, Theresa May has suffered a catastrophic loss of confidence in her leadership among MPs and cabinet ministers. She has finally faced up to the demands from within her party and announced her resignation.

Indicating her intention to step down, May said she had tried her best to deliver Brexit but accepted that she had not managed to get MPs to agree. She said she was leaving with no ill will, only “gratitude”.

She will depart from Downing Street on June 7 and the competition to replace her will formally begin the following week – though in reality, it has been underway for some time.

Indeed, May’s departure has been a long time coming. Many speculated that she couldn’t remain long in office after losing her party’s majority in the 2017 general election. In December, when facing a vote of no confidence among her MPs, she promised not to lead her party into the next general election. In March this year, in a bid to persuade more MPs to back the Brexit withdrawal agreement, she promised to leave sooner rather than later.

May’s resilience has been remarkable. But it is also finite. Leaders can only lead when they have followers and too few Tories are now prepared to follow May any longer.

May’s premiership was brief but eventful. She fought a general election, faced down an internal party vote of no confidence and won a parliamentary vote of no confidence. She also lost the services of more than 30 ministers, many of whom resigned over Brexit disagreements.

Brexit means …

Much of the drama of course has been fuelled by Brexit. It launched May’s premiership in July 2016, when she succeeded David Cameron. It has been the source of most of her woes. And it has finally wrecked her premiership.

May was elected Tory leader in part because she seemed to offer a safe pair of hands for delivering the referendum result after Cameron jumped ship. Brexit would mean Brexit, she told her party; and if no one was clear on what she meant, most thought she would deliver.

So where did it go wrong? Three points in time are worth considering, if only because they focus attention on the challenges she has faced.

The first is of course the decision that ultimately forced May’s hand. This came shortly before her resignation, when she presented a new set of “compromises” on her Brexit plans that would please precisely no one. She had been planning to present them for a parliamentary vote, despite already having lost three votes on her deal. The deal was now utterly toxic, and May’s intention to persist suggested a loss of judgement. Her stubbornness, once valued, was now a significant liability. Her party told her enough was enough.

But while this was the immediate trigger for her announcement, the seeds were sown long ago. The second point at which it all went wrong was the 2017 general election. The Conservatives gained votes but lost their parliamentary majority. May lost much of her personal authority as a result.

At the start of that election campaign, May had looked set to win a commanding majority. But even if she had won big, securing support for a withdrawal agreement would not have been simple. Her authority would have been greater, to be sure, and she would have had more MPs to support her, but it is unlikely that the withdrawal agreement would have looked much different. Many of the fundamentalist Brexiteers in her party could well have opposed it.

Which perhaps suggests that her demise was written into her story from the very moment she decided to run for the leadership in June 2016.

It was always going to be a monumental task to keep her party united as she sought to deliver on the Brexit referendum. Moderates in her party would have opposed a very hard Brexit. Anything less than a very hard Brexit would have been resisted by fundamentalists on the Tory benches.

May has made many mistakes along the way. Her suggestion early on that “no deal is better than a bad deal” was always a hostage to fortune. She might also have offered reassurance to Remainers and talked of the need for compromise, even as she pursued her vision. But this assumes that people in her party and parliament would have been willing to accept compromise.

Brexit has rapidly become a touchstone issue for political identity, akin to abortion and gun control in the US. In the circumstances the window for compromise was always small and fleeting.

As she confirmed that she was giving up, May sent a signal to potential successors, speaking once again about compromise, revealing that the late British humanitarian Nicholas Winton once told her: “Never forget that compromise is not a dirty word. Life depends on compromise.”

 
(Nicholas Allen is Leader in Politics, Royal Holloway)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/theresa-may-resigns-as-british-prime-minister-heres-where-it-all-went-wrong-117763">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Nicholas Allen Europe has claimed the career of yet another Conservative prime minister. After less than three years in office, Theresa May has suffered a catastrophic loss of confidence in her leadership among MPs and cabinet ministers.

By Nicholas Allen Europe has claimed the career of yet another Conservative prime minister. After less than three years in office, Theresa May has suffered a catastrophic loss of confidence in her leadership among MPs and cabinet ministers. She has finally faced up to the demands from within her party and announced her resignation. Indicating her intention to step down, May said she had tried her best to deliver Brexit but accepted that she had not managed to get MPs to agree. She said she was leaving with no ill will, only “gratitude”. She will depart from Downing Street on June 7 and the competition to replace her will formally begin the following week – though in reality, it has been underway for some time. Indeed, May’s departure has been a long time coming. Many speculated that she couldn’t remain long in office after losing her party’s majority in the 2017 general election. In December, when facing a vote of no confidence among her MPs, she promised not to lead her party into the next general election. In March this year, in a bid to persuade more MPs to back the Brexit withdrawal agreement, she promised to leave sooner rather than later. May’s resilience has been remarkable. But it is also finite. Leaders can only lead when they have followers and too few Tories are now prepared to follow May any longer. May’s premiership was brief but eventful. She fought a general election, faced down an internal party vote of no confidence and won a parliamentary vote of no confidence. She also lost the services of more than 30 ministers, many of whom resigned over Brexit disagreements. Brexit means … Much of the drama of course has been fuelled by Brexit. It launched May’s premiership in July 2016, when she succeeded David Cameron. It has been the source of most of her woes. And it has finally wrecked her premiership. May was elected Tory leader in part because she seemed to offer a safe pair of hands for delivering the referendum result after Cameron jumped ship. Brexit would mean Brexit, she told her party; and if no one was clear on what she meant, most thought she would deliver. So where did it go wrong? Three points in time are worth considering, if only because they focus attention on the challenges she has faced. The first is of course the decision that ultimately forced May’s hand. This came shortly before her resignation, when she presented a new set of “compromises” on her Brexit plans that would please precisely no one. She had been planning to present them for a parliamentary vote, despite already having lost three votes on her deal. The deal was now utterly toxic, and May’s intention to persist suggested a loss of judgement. Her stubbornness, once valued, was now a significant liability. Her party told her enough was enough. But while this was the immediate trigger for her announcement, the seeds were sown long ago. The second point at which it all went wrong was the 2017 general election. The Conservatives gained votes but lost their parliamentary majority. May lost much of her personal authority as a result. At the start of that election campaign, May had looked set to win a commanding majority. But even if she had won big, securing support for a withdrawal agreement would not have been simple. Her authority would have been greater, to be sure, and she would have had more MPs to support her, but it is unlikely that the withdrawal agreement would have looked much different. Many of the fundamentalist Brexiteers in her party could well have opposed it. Which perhaps suggests that her demise was written into her story from the very moment she decided to run for the leadership in June 2016. It was always going to be a monumental task to keep her party united as she sought to deliver on the Brexit referendum. Moderates in her party would have opposed a very hard Brexit. Anything less than a very hard Brexit would have been resisted by fundamentalists on the Tory benches. May has made many mistakes along the way. Her suggestion early on that “no deal is better than a bad deal” was always a hostage to fortune. She might also have offered reassurance to Remainers and talked of the need for compromise, even as she pursued her vision. But this assumes that people in her party and parliament would have been willing to accept compromise. Brexit has rapidly become a touchstone issue for political identity, akin to abortion and gun control in the US. In the circumstances the window for compromise was always small and fleeting. As she confirmed that she was giving up, May sent a signal to potential successors, speaking once again about compromise, revealing that the late British humanitarian Nicholas Winton once told her: “Never forget that compromise is not a dirty word. Life depends on compromise.” (Nicholas Allen is Leader in Politics, Royal Holloway) (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.)

Theresa May resigns as British prime minister – here’s where it all went wrong

British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-annouces-resignation-over-brexit-deal-221263">resignation </a>speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

In a seven minute speech, May said she would stand down on June 7, acknowledging that the support of her Conservative lawmakers had disappeared after her <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-against-all-alternative-brexit-options-206122">failure to deliver on Britain's 2016 vote</a> to leave the European Union.

Trying to shape a legacy which will more likely be defined by her failed negotiation with the EU, she listed some of the things she said she had achieved during her time in power, including tackling race relations and the gender pay gap.

But it was at the end of her speech, when the usually composed prime minister, dubbed the "Maybot" by some for her robotic performances, almost broke down.

"I will shortly leave the job that has been the honour of my life to hold," she told reporters outside her Downing Street official residence.

"The second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love."

Watch: British PM May resigns, paving way for Brexit confrontation with EU

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British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love". In a seven minute speech, May said she would stand down on June 7, acknowledging that the support of her Conservative lawmakers had disappeared after her failure to deliver on Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Trying to shape a legacy which will more likely be defined by her failed negotiation with the EU, she listed some of the things she said she had achieved during her time in power, including tackling race relations and the gender pay gap. But it was at the end of her speech, when the usually composed prime minister, dubbed the "Maybot" by some for her robotic performances, almost broke down. "I will shortly leave the job that has been the honour of my life to hold," she told reporters outside her Downing Street official residence. "The second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love." Watch: British PM May resigns, paving way for Brexit confrontation with EU ×

Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday said she would quit, triggering a contest that will bring a new leader to power who is likely to push for a more decisive Brexit divorce deal. May set out a timetable for her departure: She will resign as Conservative Party leader on June 7 with a leadership contest in the following week.

British PM May resigns, paving way for Brexit confrontation with EU

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday announced she will step down as Conservative leader on June 7 after failing to convince MPs to support her Brexit deal.

"It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," May said in a statement outside her Downing Street residence.

May was meeting the head of the governing party committee in charge of leadership elections to agree a timetable to stand down and allow a successor to be chosen, the reports said.

The leader of the party automatically becomes the prime minister.

MPs have already overwhelmingly rejected her withdrawal agreement, struck with European Union leaders last year, three times.

May's latest proposals, which included giving them the option of holding a referendum on the deal, prompted a furious reaction from Conservatives -- including cabinet members.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday announced she will step down as Conservative leader on June 7 after failing to convince MPs to support her Brexit deal.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday announced she will step down as Conservative leader on June 7 after failing to convince MPs to support her Brexit deal. "It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," May said in a statement outside her Downing Street residence. May was meeting the head of the governing party committee in charge of leadership elections to agree a timetable to stand down and allow a successor to be chosen, the reports said. The leader of the party automatically becomes the prime minister. MPs have already overwhelmingly rejected her withdrawal agreement, struck with European Union leaders last year, three times. May's latest proposals, which included giving them the option of holding a referendum on the deal, prompted a furious reaction from Conservatives -- including cabinet members.

British PM Theresa May announces resignation over Brexit deal

Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson knowingly lied during the 2016<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-may-holds-out-promise-of-new-brexit-referendum-220484/amp"> Brexit referendum </a>campaign over the cost of the UK's EU membership, a court heard on Thursday in an application with potentially far-reaching implications.

A private prosecution bid against Johnson accused him of misconduct in public office over the claim that Britain sends $440 million a week to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/main-european-union-parties-adopt-climate-change-as-rallying-cry-221214">European Union</a>.

In a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, lawyers for businessman Marcus Ball, who crowdfunded for the bid, lodged an application to summons Johnson.&nbsp;

After considering the arguments, judge Margot Coleman said she would issue her decision on Wednesday.

Johnson was not present, but his lawyer Adrian Darbishire said the former London mayor and pro-Brexit figurehead -- who is now bidding to replace Prime Minister Theresa May -- staunchly denied any wrongdoing.&nbsp;

Ball's lawyer Lewis Power argued that Johnson knew the £350-million-a-week figure was wrong, but he "repeatedly misrepresented the amount the UK sends to Europe."&nbsp;

Johnson's conduct "was both irresponsible and dishonest. It was, we say, criminal.&nbsp;

"Democracy demands responsible and honest leadership from those in public office. When politicians lie, democracy dies," Lewis said.

In response, Johnson's lawyer, Darbishire, "absolutely denied" that his client had "acted in an improper or dishonest manner at any time," suggesting that the case was politically motivated.&nbsp;

Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson knowingly lied during the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign over the cost of the UK's EU membership, a court heard on Thursday in an application with potentially far-reaching implications.

Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson knowingly lied during the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign over the cost of the UK's EU membership, a court heard on Thursday in an application with potentially far-reaching implications. A private prosecution bid against Johnson accused him of misconduct in public office over the claim that Britain sends $440 million a week to the European Union. In a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, lawyers for businessman Marcus Ball, who crowdfunded for the bid, lodged an application to summons Johnson. After considering the arguments, judge Margot Coleman said she would issue her decision on Wednesday. Johnson was not present, but his lawyer Adrian Darbishire said the former London mayor and pro-Brexit figurehead -- who is now bidding to replace Prime Minister Theresa May -- staunchly denied any wrongdoing. Ball's lawyer Lewis Power argued that Johnson knew the £350-million-a-week figure was wrong, but he "repeatedly misrepresented the amount the UK sends to Europe." Johnson's conduct "was both irresponsible and dishonest. It was, we say, criminal. "Democracy demands responsible and honest leadership from those in public office. When politicians lie, democracy dies," Lewis said. In response, Johnson's lawyer, Darbishire, "absolutely denied" that his client had "acted in an improper or dishonest manner at any time," suggesting that the case was politically motivated.

UK's Boris Johnson 'lied' in Brexit campaign, court hears

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-mays-last-attempt-to-salvage-brexit-deal-at-risk-220596">British Prime Minister Theresa May</a> is expected to announce her departure from office on Friday, The Times reported, without citing a source.

May will remain as prime minister while her successor is elected in a two-stage process under which two final candidates face a ballot of 125,000 Conservative Party members, the newspaper said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-to-resign-uk-pm-mays-final-brexit-gambit-bombs-220672">May was under growing pressure to resign</a> on Wednesday after her final Brexit gambit was rejected across the board by lawmakers and even criticised by some of her own ministers.

May's future, which she herself had curtailed by offering to resign to get her deal through parliament, was hanging by a thread after she softened her position on a second Brexit referendum and customs arrangements with the European Union.

The calls for her resignation further deepened Britain's Brexit crisis. Almost three years since Britain voted to leave the EU and just under two months after the scheduled departure, it is not clear when, how or even if Brexit will happen.

(With inputs from Reuters)

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to announce her departure from office on Friday, The Times reported, without citing a source. May will remain as prime minister while her successor is elected in a two-stage process under which two final candidates face a ballot of 125,000 Conservative Party members, the newspaper said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to announce her departure from office on Friday, The Times reported, without citing a source. May will remain as prime minister while her successor is elected in a two-stage process under which two final candidates face a ballot of 125,000 Conservative Party members, the newspaper said. May was under growing pressure to resign on Wednesday after her final Brexit gambit was rejected across the board by lawmakers and even criticised by some of her own ministers. May's future, which she herself had curtailed by offering to resign to get her deal through parliament, was hanging by a thread after she softened her position on a second Brexit referendum and customs arrangements with the European Union. The calls for her resignation further deepened Britain's Brexit crisis. Almost three years since Britain voted to leave the EU and just under two months after the scheduled departure, it is not clear when, how or even if Brexit will happen. (With inputs from Reuters)

British PM Theresa May expected to announce her departure on Friday: Report

Prime Minister Theresa May is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-for-new-confidence-vote-if-pm-may-does-not-set-exit-date-1922-treasurer-220969">under pressure to resign </a>after a backlash to her final Brexit gambit and has agreed to meet the chairman of her Conservative Party's 1922 Committee on Friday to discuss her future.

Below are Conservatives who have either said they plan to put themselves forward or are widely expected to run for the leadership:

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-government-postpones-brexit-vote-official-220953">British government postpones Brexit vote: Official</a>

Planning to run:

BORIS JOHNSON, 54

The face of the official campaign to leave the European Union, Johnson resigned as foreign minister in July in protest at May's handling of the exit negotiations.

Johnson set out his pitch to the membership in a speech at the party's annual conference in October - some members queued for hours to get a seat. He called on the party to return to its traditional values of low tax and strong policing.

Last week the BBC reported he had told The British Insurance Brokers' Association: "Of course I'm going to go for it."

He is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed May.

ESTHER MCVEY, 51

The pro-Brexit former television presenter, who resigned as work and pensions minister in November in protest at May's exit deal with the EU, has said she plans to run.

McVey told Talkradio: "I have always said quite clearly that if I got enough support from my colleagues, yes I would (run). Now people have come forward and I have got that support, so I will be going forward."

RORY STEWART, 46

A former diplomat who once walked 6,000 miles across Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal, Stewart was promoted to International Development Secretary this month.

Educated at the exclusive Eton College, Stewart was first elected to parliament in 2010 and backed remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum. He opposes a 'no deal' exit and has been a vocal advocate of May's deal with Brussels.

"I do want to bring this country together ... I accept Brexit, I am a Brexiteer, but I want to reach out to 'Remain' voters as well," he told the BBC.

Expected to run:

MICHAEL GOVE, 51

Gove, one of the highest-profile Brexit campaigners during the 2016 referendum, has had to rebuild his cabinet career after falling early to May in the contest to replace David Cameron, who resigned the day after losing the referendum.

Seen as one of the most effective members of cabinet in bringing forward new policies, the high-energy environment minister has become a surprise ally to May and has backed her Brexit strategy.

Gove teamed up with Johnson during the 2016 Brexit campaign only to pull his support for Johnson’s subsequent leadership bid at the last moment and run himself.

He has not yet said whether he plans to run.

JEREMY HUNT, 52

Hunt replaced Johnson as foreign minister in July and has urged the Conservative membership to set aside their differences over Brexit and unite against a common foe - the EU.

Hunt voted to remain in the EU in the referendum. He served six years as Britain’s health minister, a role that has made him unpopular with many voters who work in or rely on the state-run, financially stretched National Health Service.

Asked at a lunch with journalists in parliament if he planned to run for leader, he said: "Wait and see."

ANDREA LEADSOM, 56

A pro-Brexit campaigner, Leadsom made it to the last two in the 2016 contest to replace Cameron. She withdrew after a backlash to an interview in which she said being a mother gave her more of a stake in the future of the country than her rival Theresa May.

Leadsom quit as Leader of the House of Commons on Wednesday, saying she did not believe the government's approach would deliver on the Brexit referendum result. She has previously told broadcaster ITV she was "seriously considering standing" to replace May.

DOMINIC RAAB, 45

Raab quit as May’s Brexit minister last year in protest at her draft exit agreement saying it did not match the promises the Conservative Party made in the 2017 election. Raab served only five months as head of the Brexit department.

He had held junior ministerial roles since being elected in 2010. Raab, a black belt in karate, campaigned for Brexit.

Asked if he would like to be prime minister, he said: "Never say never."

SAJID JAVID, 49

Javid, a former banker and a champion of free markets, has served a number of cabinet roles and scores consistently well in polls of party members. A second-generation immigrant of Pakistani heritage, he has a portrait of late Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher on his office wall.

Javid voted 'Remain' in the 2016 referendum but was previously considered to be eurosceptic. He has not said whether he plans to run but is considered to have been setting out his stall in speeches and media interviews.

DAVID DAVIS, 70

Davis, a leading eurosceptic, was appointed Brexit minister to lead negotiations with the EU in July 2016 but resigned two years later in protest at May's plans for a long-term relationship with the bloc.

He ran for the party's leadership in 2005 but lost to Cameron.

PENNY MORDAUNT, 46

Mordaunt is one of the last remaining pro-Brexit members of May's cabinet. She became Britain's first female defence secretary this month.

A Royal Navy reservist, Mordaunt was previously international development minister. Many had expected her to join the wave of resignations that followed the publication of May’s draft withdrawal deal.

AMBER RUDD, 55

Rudd resigned as interior minister last year after facing outrage over her department's treatment of some long-term Caribbean residents wrongly labelled illegal immigrants.

She backed 'Remain' in 2016 and has opposed a 'no deal' exit, meaning she could win support from pro-EU Conservative lawmakers. But she struggled to retain her seat at the 2017 election and has one of the smallest majorities in parliament.

MATT HANCOCK, 40

Health minister Hancock, a former economist at the Bank of England, supported 'Remain' in 2016. First elected to parliament in 2010, he has held several ministerial roles.

JUSTINE GREENING, 50

The former education minister told ITV she would consider running. Greening supports a second Brexit referendum. Many thought she might join several of her colleagues in quitting the party to form a pro-EU group in parliament earlier this year.

LIZ TRUSS, 43

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Truss has held several roles in government including environment minister and justice minister. She backed 'Remain' in 2016 but has said she has since changed her mind on Brexit.

GRAHAM BRADY, 51

Brady is chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative lawmakers. "It would take an awful lot of people to persuade me. I'm not sure many people are straining at the leash to take on what is an extraordinarily difficult situation," he told BBC Radio.

KIT MALTHOUSE, 52

A former deputy mayor of London, Malthouse became a Member of Parliament in 2015. He is a junior housing minister and helped author the so-called Malthouse Compromise plan to replace the unpopular Irish backstop in Britain's EU exit deal with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border.

The Sun newspaper reported he was setting up a campaign team.

JAMES CLEVERLY, 49

Cleverly was appointed a junior Brexit minister last month, having previously been deputy chair of the Conservative Party. He had a career in publishing before being elected to parliament in 2015.

The Sun reported he was planning to run for leader.

Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to resign after a backlash to her final Brexit gambit and has agreed to meet the chairman of her Conservative Party's 1922 Committee on Friday to discuss her future.

Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to resign after a backlash to her final Brexit gambit and has agreed to meet the chairman of her Conservative Party's 1922 Committee on Friday to discuss her future. Below are Conservatives who have either said they plan to put themselves forward or are widely expected to run for the leadership: Also read- British government postpones Brexit vote: Official Planning to run: BORIS JOHNSON, 54 The face of the official campaign to leave the European Union, Johnson resigned as foreign minister in July in protest at May's handling of the exit negotiations. Johnson set out his pitch to the membership in a speech at the party's annual conference in October - some members queued for hours to get a seat. He called on the party to return to its traditional values of low tax and strong policing. Last week the BBC reported he had told The British Insurance Brokers' Association: "Of course I'm going to go for it." He is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed May. ESTHER MCVEY, 51 The pro-Brexit former television presenter, who resigned as work and pensions minister in November in protest at May's exit deal with the EU, has said she plans to run. McVey told Talkradio: "I have always said quite clearly that if I got enough support from my colleagues, yes I would (run). Now people have come forward and I have got that support, so I will be going forward." RORY STEWART, 46 A former diplomat who once walked 6,000 miles across Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal, Stewart was promoted to International Development Secretary this month. Educated at the exclusive Eton College, Stewart was first elected to parliament in 2010 and backed remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum. He opposes a 'no deal' exit and has been a vocal advocate of May's deal with Brussels. "I do want to bring this country together ... I accept Brexit, I am a Brexiteer, but I want to reach out to 'Remain' voters as well," he told the BBC. Expected to run: MICHAEL GOVE, 51 Gove, one of the highest-profile Brexit campaigners during the 2016 referendum, has had to rebuild his cabinet career after falling early to May in the contest to replace David Cameron, who resigned the day after losing the referendum. Seen as one of the most effective members of cabinet in bringing forward new policies, the high-energy environment minister has become a surprise ally to May and has backed her Brexit strategy. Gove teamed up with Johnson during the 2016 Brexit campaign only to pull his support for Johnson’s subsequent leadership bid at the last moment and run himself. He has not yet said whether he plans to run. JEREMY HUNT, 52 Hunt replaced Johnson as foreign minister in July and has urged the Conservative membership to set aside their differences over Brexit and unite against a common foe - the EU. Hunt voted to remain in the EU in the referendum. He served six years as Britain’s health minister, a role that has made him unpopular with many voters who work in or rely on the state-run, financially stretched National Health Service. Asked at a lunch with journalists in parliament if he planned to run for leader, he said: "Wait and see." ANDREA LEADSOM, 56 A pro-Brexit campaigner, Leadsom made it to the last two in the 2016 contest to replace Cameron. She withdrew after a backlash to an interview in which she said being a mother gave her more of a stake in the future of the country than her rival Theresa May. Leadsom quit as Leader of the House of Commons on Wednesday, saying she did not believe the government's approach would deliver on the Brexit referendum result. She has previously told broadcaster ITV she was "seriously considering standing" to replace May. DOMINIC RAAB, 45 Raab quit as May’s Brexit minister last year in protest at her draft exit agreement saying it did not match the promises the Conservative Party made in the 2017 election. Raab served only five months as head of the Brexit department. He had held junior ministerial roles since being elected in 2010. Raab, a black belt in karate, campaigned for Brexit. Asked if he would like to be prime minister, he said: "Never say never." SAJID JAVID, 49 Javid, a former banker and a champion of free markets, has served a number of cabinet roles and scores consistently well in polls of party members. A second-generation immigrant of Pakistani heritage, he has a portrait of late Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher on his office wall. Javid voted 'Remain' in the 2016 referendum but was previously considered to be eurosceptic. He has not said whether he plans to run but is considered to have been setting out his stall in speeches and media interviews. DAVID DAVIS, 70 Davis, a leading eurosceptic, was appointed Brexit minister to lead negotiations with the EU in July 2016 but resigned two years later in protest at May's plans for a long-term relationship with the bloc. He ran for the party's leadership in 2005 but lost to Cameron. PENNY MORDAUNT, 46 Mordaunt is one of the last remaining pro-Brexit members of May's cabinet. She became Britain's first female defence secretary this month. A Royal Navy reservist, Mordaunt was previously international development minister. Many had expected her to join the wave of resignations that followed the publication of May’s draft withdrawal deal. AMBER RUDD, 55 Rudd resigned as interior minister last year after facing outrage over her department's treatment of some long-term Caribbean residents wrongly labelled illegal immigrants. She backed 'Remain' in 2016 and has opposed a 'no deal' exit, meaning she could win support from pro-EU Conservative lawmakers. But she struggled to retain her seat at the 2017 election and has one of the smallest majorities in parliament. MATT HANCOCK, 40 Health minister Hancock, a former economist at the Bank of England, supported 'Remain' in 2016. First elected to parliament in 2010, he has held several ministerial roles. JUSTINE GREENING, 50 The former education minister told ITV she would consider running. Greening supports a second Brexit referendum. Many thought she might join several of her colleagues in quitting the party to form a pro-EU group in parliament earlier this year. LIZ TRUSS, 43 Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Truss has held several roles in government including environment minister and justice minister. She backed 'Remain' in 2016 but has said she has since changed her mind on Brexit. GRAHAM BRADY, 51 Brady is chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative lawmakers. "It would take an awful lot of people to persuade me. I'm not sure many people are straining at the leash to take on what is an extraordinarily difficult situation," he told BBC Radio. KIT MALTHOUSE, 52 A former deputy mayor of London, Malthouse became a Member of Parliament in 2015. He is a junior housing minister and helped author the so-called Malthouse Compromise plan to replace the unpopular Irish backstop in Britain's EU exit deal with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. The Sun newspaper reported he was setting up a campaign team. JAMES CLEVERLY, 49 Cleverly was appointed a junior Brexit minister last month, having previously been deputy chair of the Conservative Party. He had a career in publishing before being elected to parliament in 2015. The Sun reported he was planning to run for leader.

Who wants to be Britain's next prime minister?

The British government on Thursday postponed a crucial Brexit vote scheduled for the first week of June, following an outcry from hardline Brexiteers over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-to-resign-uk-pm-mays-final-brexit-gambit-bombs-220672">concessions</a> made by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-mays-last-attempt-to-salvage-brexit-deal-at-risk-220596">Prime Minister Theresa May</a>.

The beleaguered premier is in the last throes of a tumultuous period in power focused all-but exclusively on guiding her fractured country out of the European Union.

"We will update the house on the publication and introduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on our return from the Whitsun recess" on June 4, government official Mark Spencer told MPs.

Spencer said the government had planned to hold the vote on a landmark piece of legislation to implement Brexit on June 7 but had not been able to fix this date.

May is under intense pressure to resign after holding out the prospect of a parliamentary vote on a second referendum to try and persuade MPs to support the divorce deal she has struck with EU leaders.

The deal has already been rejected three times in parliament, forcing a delay to the planned date of Brexit on March 29, and still faces strong cross-party opposition.

'Brexit fiasco'

Meanwhile, there are already several leading Conservatives, including members of her own cabinet, who are campaigning to take over from May when she quits.

The prime minister's woes were made worse on Wednesday when Andrea Leadsom -- one of cabinet's strongest Brexit backers -- resigned from her post as the government's representative in parliament over her handling of the slowly-unfolding crisis.

"I no longer believe that our approach will deliver on the (2016) referendum results," Leadsom said in her resignation letter.

In her response May thanked Leadsom for her "passion, drive and sincerity", but took issue with her assessment of the government's Brexit strategy.

"I do not agree with you that the deal which we have negotiated with the European Union means that the United Kingdom will not become a sovereign country," May said.

Many of Thursday's newspaper front pages pictured May leaving Downing Street late on Wednesday apparently with tears in her eyes. "May set to go after Brexit fiasco," said The Sun tabloid.

Thursday's European elections are being interpreted in Britain as a referendum on Brexit and on May's ability to get the job done. They make grim reading for the government team, with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party well ahead in the polls.

The current deadline for Brexit set by EU leaders is October 31.

The Brexit Party and leading Conservatives are calling for Britain to leave the EU on that date without an overall deal but businesses fear this could cause severe disruption.

The British government on Thursday postponed a crucial Brexit vote scheduled for the first week of June, following an outcry from hardline Brexiteers over concessions made by Prime Minister Theresa May.

The British government on Thursday postponed a crucial Brexit vote scheduled for the first week of June, following an outcry from hardline Brexiteers over concessions made by Prime Minister Theresa May. The beleaguered premier is in the last throes of a tumultuous period in power focused all-but exclusively on guiding her fractured country out of the European Union. "We will update the house on the publication and introduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on our return from the Whitsun recess" on June 4, government official Mark Spencer told MPs. Spencer said the government had planned to hold the vote on a landmark piece of legislation to implement Brexit on June 7 but had not been able to fix this date. May is under intense pressure to resign after holding out the prospect of a parliamentary vote on a second referendum to try and persuade MPs to support the divorce deal she has struck with EU leaders. The deal has already been rejected three times in parliament, forcing a delay to the planned date of Brexit on March 29, and still faces strong cross-party opposition. 'Brexit fiasco' Meanwhile, there are already several leading Conservatives, including members of her own cabinet, who are campaigning to take over from May when she quits. The prime minister's woes were made worse on Wednesday when Andrea Leadsom -- one of cabinet's strongest Brexit backers -- resigned from her post as the government's representative in parliament over her handling of the slowly-unfolding crisis. "I no longer believe that our approach will deliver on the (2016) referendum results," Leadsom said in her resignation letter. In her response May thanked Leadsom for her "passion, drive and sincerity", but took issue with her assessment of the government's Brexit strategy. "I do not agree with you that the deal which we have negotiated with the European Union means that the United Kingdom will not become a sovereign country," May said. Many of Thursday's newspaper front pages pictured May leaving Downing Street late on Wednesday apparently with tears in her eyes. "May set to go after Brexit fiasco," said The Sun tabloid. Thursday's European elections are being interpreted in Britain as a referendum on Brexit and on May's ability to get the job done. They make grim reading for the government team, with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party well ahead in the polls. The current deadline for Brexit set by EU leaders is October 31. The Brexit Party and leading Conservatives are calling for Britain to leave the EU on that date without an overall deal but businesses fear this could cause severe disruption.

British government postpones Brexit vote: Official

If Prime Minister Theresa May does not <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-expected-to-announce-her-departure-on-friday-report-220845">set a resignation date on Friday</a> there will be overwhelming pressure to change the Conservative Party`s rules over when her leadership can be challenged, the treasury of the party`s influential 1922 Committee was quoted as saying.

May survived a confidence vote in December and under current rules cannot be challenged again for 12 months. The 1922 Committee executive have so far decided against forcing through a change but the panel`s chair is due to meet May on Friday.&nbsp;

"I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from Number 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow," Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee told the Press Association, according the Guardian.

Asked what would happen if she did not announce a resignation date, he said: "There will be overwhelming pressure for the 22 to change the rules and hold a ballot on confidence in the prime minister."

If Prime Minister Theresa May does not set a resignation date on Friday there will be overwhelming pressure to change the Conservative Party`s rules over when her leadership can be challenged, the treasury of the party`s influential 1922 Committee was quoted as saying.

If Prime Minister Theresa May does not set a resignation date on Friday there will be overwhelming pressure to change the Conservative Party`s rules over when her leadership can be challenged, the treasury of the party`s influential 1922 Committee was quoted as saying. May survived a confidence vote in December and under current rules cannot be challenged again for 12 months. The 1922 Committee executive have so far decided against forcing through a change but the panel`s chair is due to meet May on Friday. "I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from Number 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow," Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee told the Press Association, according the Guardian. Asked what would happen if she did not announce a resignation date, he said: "There will be overwhelming pressure for the 22 to change the rules and hold a ballot on confidence in the prime minister."

Pressure for new confidence vote if PM May does not set exit date: 1922 treasurer

British Prime Minister Theresa May was under growing pressure to resign on Wednesday after her final <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-mays-last-attempt-to-salvage-brexit-deal-at-risk-220596">Brexit gambit</a> was rejected across the board by lawmakers and even criticised by some of her own ministers.

May's future, which she herself had curtailed by offering to resign to get her deal through parliament, was hanging by a thread after she softened her position on a second Brexit referendum and customs arrangements with the European Union.

The calls for her resignation further deepened Britain's Brexit crisis. Almost three years since Britain voted to leave the EU and just under two months after the scheduled departure, it is not clear when, how or even if Brexit will happen.

In her last pitch on Tuesday to get her divorce deal approved by Britain's deeply divided parliament, she offered lawmakers a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum -- once her legislation passes the first stage -- as well as closer trading arrangements with the EU in future as incentives.

But the backlash was swift and fierce.

Both ruling Conservative and opposition Labour lawmakers criticised May's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, or WAB, legislation which implements the terms of Britain's twice-delayed departure.

"There is one last chance to get it right and leave in an orderly fashion. But it is now time for Prime Minister Theresa May to go -- and without delay," said Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat, chairman of parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

"She must announce her resignation after Thursday's European (Parliament) elections," he wrote in the Financial Times.

May's latest offer has enraged eurosceptics opposed to a second referendum, and fails to go far enough for those who want to give the public another say in the hope of stopping Brexit altogether.

Even some of her ministers criticised the pitch, one source close to the cabinet said, explaining that they felt the concessions had gone much further than they had agreed at a meeting on Tuesday. Another source said May had cancelled meetings with senior cabinet colleagues on Wednesday evening.

STANDING FIRM

May stood firm during more than two hours of questions in parliament, urging lawmakers to back the bill and then have a chance to make changes to it, so they can have more control over the final shape of Brexit.

"In time another prime minister will be standing at this despatch box," May said, acknowledging that her leadership was drawing to a close.

"But while I am here, I have a duty to be clear with the House (of Commons) about the facts. If we are going to deliver Brexit in this parliament we are going to have to pass a Withdrawal Agreement Bill," she told MPs.

May has so far fended off attempts to oust her by promising to set out a departure timetable once parliament has had a chance to vote on the legislation.

Asked by eurosceptic lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg whether she really believed in the new deal she had proposed or whether she was simply going through the motions, May said:

"I don't think I would have been standing here at the despatch box and be in receipt of some of the comments I have been in receipt of from colleagues on my own side and across the house if I didn't believe in what I was doing."

"GOT TO GO"

Britain's marathon crisis over Brexit has stunned allies and foes alike. With the deadlock in London, the world's fifth-largest economy faces an array of options including an exit with a deal to smooth the transition, a no-deal exit, an election, a second referendum, or even revocation of the Article 50 notice to leave the EU.

The pound was on track for its longest-ever losing streak against the euro as some traders said they saw the rising chance of a no-deal Brexit. Those fears pushed investors into the relative safety of government bonds -- particularly those that offer protection against a spike in inflation.

There were some signs of support for May in parliament, but swathes of empty Conservative benches during Wednesday's debate underlined the fact that many of her fiercest critics had decided to stay away.

"The proposed second reading of the WAB is clearly doomed to failure so there really is no point wasting any more time on the prime minister's forlorn hope of salvation," Andrew Bridgen, a Conservative lawmaker, told Reuters. "She's got to go."

More Conservative lawmakers handed over letters to the 1922 Committee, a Conservative group that can make or break party leaders, to demand a no-confidence vote in May.

Asked about the pressure to resign, her spokesman said,"The PM is focused on the job in hand and what the last 24 hours or so have proved, it is a big one." 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May was under growing pressure to resign on Wednesday after her final Brexit gambit was rejected across the board by lawmakers and even criticised by some of her own ministers.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was under growing pressure to resign on Wednesday after her final Brexit gambit was rejected across the board by lawmakers and even criticised by some of her own ministers. May's future, which she herself had curtailed by offering to resign to get her deal through parliament, was hanging by a thread after she softened her position on a second Brexit referendum and customs arrangements with the European Union. The calls for her resignation further deepened Britain's Brexit crisis. Almost three years since Britain voted to leave the EU and just under two months after the scheduled departure, it is not clear when, how or even if Brexit will happen. In her last pitch on Tuesday to get her divorce deal approved by Britain's deeply divided parliament, she offered lawmakers a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum -- once her legislation passes the first stage -- as well as closer trading arrangements with the EU in future as incentives. But the backlash was swift and fierce. Both ruling Conservative and opposition Labour lawmakers criticised May's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, or WAB, legislation which implements the terms of Britain's twice-delayed departure. "There is one last chance to get it right and leave in an orderly fashion. But it is now time for Prime Minister Theresa May to go -- and without delay," said Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat, chairman of parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee. "She must announce her resignation after Thursday's European (Parliament) elections," he wrote in the Financial Times. May's latest offer has enraged eurosceptics opposed to a second referendum, and fails to go far enough for those who want to give the public another say in the hope of stopping Brexit altogether. Even some of her ministers criticised the pitch, one source close to the cabinet said, explaining that they felt the concessions had gone much further than they had agreed at a meeting on Tuesday. Another source said May had cancelled meetings with senior cabinet colleagues on Wednesday evening. STANDING FIRM May stood firm during more than two hours of questions in parliament, urging lawmakers to back the bill and then have a chance to make changes to it, so they can have more control over the final shape of Brexit. "In time another prime minister will be standing at this despatch box," May said, acknowledging that her leadership was drawing to a close. "But while I am here, I have a duty to be clear with the House (of Commons) about the facts. If we are going to deliver Brexit in this parliament we are going to have to pass a Withdrawal Agreement Bill," she told MPs. May has so far fended off attempts to oust her by promising to set out a departure timetable once parliament has had a chance to vote on the legislation. Asked by eurosceptic lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg whether she really believed in the new deal she had proposed or whether she was simply going through the motions, May said: "I don't think I would have been standing here at the despatch box and be in receipt of some of the comments I have been in receipt of from colleagues on my own side and across the house if I didn't believe in what I was doing." "GOT TO GO" Britain's marathon crisis over Brexit has stunned allies and foes alike. With the deadlock in London, the world's fifth-largest economy faces an array of options including an exit with a deal to smooth the transition, a no-deal exit, an election, a second referendum, or even revocation of the Article 50 notice to leave the EU. The pound was on track for its longest-ever losing streak against the euro as some traders said they saw the rising chance of a no-deal Brexit. Those fears pushed investors into the relative safety of government bonds -- particularly those that offer protection against a spike in inflation. There were some signs of support for May in parliament, but swathes of empty Conservative benches during Wednesday's debate underlined the fact that many of her fiercest critics had decided to stay away. "The proposed second reading of the WAB is clearly doomed to failure so there really is no point wasting any more time on the prime minister's forlorn hope of salvation," Andrew Bridgen, a Conservative lawmaker, told Reuters. "She's got to go." More Conservative lawmakers handed over letters to the 1922 Committee, a Conservative group that can make or break party leaders, to demand a no-confidence vote in May. Asked about the pressure to resign, her spokesman said,"The PM is focused on the job in hand and what the last 24 hours or so have proved, it is a big one."

Time to resign? UK PM Theresa May's final Brexit gambit bombs

British Prime Minister Theresa May offered a “new” Brexit plan Tuesday, in a last-ditch effort to get her still-unpopular Brexit deal approved

Prime Minister Theresa May offers a “new” Brexit plan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-may-offers-new-deal-to-try-to-break-brexit-deadlock-220480">British Prime Minister Theresa May</a>'s final bid to salvage her EU divorce deal appeared doomed on Wednesday as pro-Brexit Conservatives and opposition MPs rejected her attempts at a compromise to end months of deadlock.

The beleaguered leader is set to face a torrid session at Prime Minister's Questions in parliament on the eve of European elections that Britain had not even expected to take part in three years after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-brexit-talks-collapse-as-mays-premiership-crumbles-219710/amp">Brexit</a> referendum.

The poll could see the vote of the two main parties decimated.

May vowed Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on holding a public referendum on Brexit if they approve her unpopular withdrawal agreement in a series of votes starting in early June.

She also dangled a package of other sweeteners to the deal aimed at opposition Labour MPs, in a bid to break trenchant opposition which has seen parliament reject her plan three times this year.

Watch: Prime Minister Theresa May offers a 'new' Brexit plan

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May has said she will leave office shortly after the measures she outlined are voted on -- no matter the outcome.

"I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the house on this important issue," May said.

However, MPs from across the political spectrum reacted furiously to the prime minister's latest offer, with Conservative Brexiteers crying betrayal and Labour lawmakers saying she had not compromised enough.

In a sign of the scale of the backlash, Environment Secretary Michael Gove hinted that the vote in the week of June 3 may not go ahead after all.

"We will reflect over the course of the next few days on how people look at the proposition," he told BBC radio.

'A question of democracy'

May's offer comes as Britain votes in EU elections Thursday with the two main parties trailing behind the Brexit Party and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats, according to polls.

The latest YouGov survey showed eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party claiming 37 per cent of votes, with Labour in third on 19 per cent and the Tories lagging in fifth place with just seven per cent.

"If we win big on Thursday, we will kill off any prospect of parliament forcing a second referendum upon us because they know they would lose!" Farage told supporters at a final rally Tuesday.

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, whose party is set to come second in the polls, told a party gathering on Tuesday that a vote for his party was "a vote to stop Brexit".

The pro-EU party's outright rejection of Brexit appears to be resonating with Remain voters who would normally back Labour or the Conservatives.

'Last chance'&nbsp;

May pitched her "new Brexit deal" as MPs' "last chance" to end political gridlock that has already delayed Britain's departure from the bloc past its original March deadline and prompted public anger.

The government is aiming for the law to be approved by the time parliament's summer recess begins on July 20, which would let the country leave at the end of that month -- as long as lawmakers reject a second referendum.

Otherwise, the process could be delayed until October 31 -- the deadline set by the EU -- or even later if its leaders grant Britain another postponement.

May on Tuesday set out a series of incentives for MPs to vote for her deal.

Some were in line with demands from Labour, but fell short of their full demands put forward during weeks of cross-party talks which ended in deadlock last week.

"The prime minister needs to today accept that what she announced yesterday is not going to work and pull the vote," the party's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said Wednesday.

'Must do better'

May's proposals threaten to further repel eurosceptics in her own Conservative Party.

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, the favourite to replace her as leader, said on Twitter he would not support the new package, having backed it last time it was put to parliament.

"We can and must do better -- and deliver what the people voted for," he said, rejecting the idea of any customs union or second referendum.

Analysts and British newspapers gave May little-to-no chance of winning on this occasion, with the eurosceptic Daily Telegraph calling her move: "Desperate, deluded, doomed."

British Prime Minister Theresa May's final bid to salvage her EU divorce deal appeared doomed on Wednesday as pro-Brexit Conservatives and opposition MPs rejected her attempts at a compromise to end months of deadlock.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's final bid to salvage her EU divorce deal appeared doomed on Wednesday as pro-Brexit Conservatives and opposition MPs rejected her attempts at a compromise to end months of deadlock. The beleaguered leader is set to face a torrid session at Prime Minister's Questions in parliament on the eve of European elections that Britain had not even expected to take part in three years after the Brexit referendum. The poll could see the vote of the two main parties decimated. May vowed Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on holding a public referendum on Brexit if they approve her unpopular withdrawal agreement in a series of votes starting in early June. She also dangled a package of other sweeteners to the deal aimed at opposition Labour MPs, in a bid to break trenchant opposition which has seen parliament reject her plan three times this year. Watch: Prime Minister Theresa May offers a 'new' Brexit plan × May has said she will leave office shortly after the measures she outlined are voted on -- no matter the outcome. "I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the house on this important issue," May said. However, MPs from across the political spectrum reacted furiously to the prime minister's latest offer, with Conservative Brexiteers crying betrayal and Labour lawmakers saying she had not compromised enough. In a sign of the scale of the backlash, Environment Secretary Michael Gove hinted that the vote in the week of June 3 may not go ahead after all. "We will reflect over the course of the next few days on how people look at the proposition," he told BBC radio. 'A question of democracy' May's offer comes as Britain votes in EU elections Thursday with the two main parties trailing behind the Brexit Party and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats, according to polls. The latest YouGov survey showed eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party claiming 37 per cent of votes, with Labour in third on 19 per cent and the Tories lagging in fifth place with just seven per cent. "If we win big on Thursday, we will kill off any prospect of parliament forcing a second referendum upon us because they know they would lose!" Farage told supporters at a final rally Tuesday. Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, whose party is set to come second in the polls, told a party gathering on Tuesday that a vote for his party was "a vote to stop Brexit". The pro-EU party's outright rejection of Brexit appears to be resonating with Remain voters who would normally back Labour or the Conservatives. 'Last chance' May pitched her "new Brexit deal" as MPs' "last chance" to end political gridlock that has already delayed Britain's departure from the bloc past its original March deadline and prompted public anger. The government is aiming for the law to be approved by the time parliament's summer recess begins on July 20, which would let the country leave at the end of that month -- as long as lawmakers reject a second referendum. Otherwise, the process could be delayed until October 31 -- the deadline set by the EU -- or even later if its leaders grant Britain another postponement. May on Tuesday set out a series of incentives for MPs to vote for her deal. Some were in line with demands from Labour, but fell short of their full demands put forward during weeks of cross-party talks which ended in deadlock last week. "The prime minister needs to today accept that what she announced yesterday is not going to work and pull the vote," the party's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said Wednesday. 'Must do better' May's proposals threaten to further repel eurosceptics in her own Conservative Party. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, the favourite to replace her as leader, said on Twitter he would not support the new package, having backed it last time it was put to parliament. "We can and must do better -- and deliver what the people voted for," he said, rejecting the idea of any customs union or second referendum. Analysts and British newspapers gave May little-to-no chance of winning on this occasion, with the eurosceptic Daily Telegraph calling her move: "Desperate, deluded, doomed."

Theresa May's last attempt to salvage Brexit deal at risk

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum as part of a last-gasp push to get her deal over the line.

The embattled British leader dangled a series of sweeteners that she hopes can resolve the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-may-offers-new-deal-to-try-to-break-brexit-deadlock-220480">Brexit crisis</a> three years after the country first voted to leave the European Union after 46 years.

These included a parliamentary vote on whether to put whatever Brexit deal is passed up for a second confirmatory ballot, plus a temporary customs union with the EU.

"I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue," she said of a second Brexit vote.

"The government will, therefore, include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum," she said.

"This must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified."

The measure is a key demand of the main opposition Labour Party. But it is also bitterly opposed by Brexit-supporting Conservatives whose votes May also needs if she is to get her deal passed.

She said her proposals were this parliament's "last chance" to end a political deadlock that has held up the entire Brexit process and caused huge public anger.

"Today I am making a serious offer to MPs across parliament -- a new Brexit deal," May said in a nationally televised address delivered from the offices of a major accounting firm in London.

"The majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum. So I think we need to help them find a way. And I believe there is now one last chance to do that."

May set out 10 incentives in all that will be included in a new Brexit bill that is expected to come up for a vote early next month.

"We are making a new offer to find common ground in parliament," she said.

These include a promise to give MPs a say on whether to remain in a temporary customs union and a commitment "to stay aligned with Northern Ireland" should no permanent trade deal with the EU be agreed by the end of 2020.

That promise is aimed at ensuring the support of her Northern Irish coalition partners after they broke ranks and voted against her Brexit deal, helping defeat it three times in parliament. 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum as part of a last-gasp push to get her deal over the line.

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum as part of a last-gasp push to get her deal over the line. The embattled British leader dangled a series of sweeteners that she hopes can resolve the Brexit crisis three years after the country first voted to leave the European Union after 46 years. These included a parliamentary vote on whether to put whatever Brexit deal is passed up for a second confirmatory ballot, plus a temporary customs union with the EU. "I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue," she said of a second Brexit vote. "The government will, therefore, include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum," she said. "This must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified." The measure is a key demand of the main opposition Labour Party. But it is also bitterly opposed by Brexit-supporting Conservatives whose votes May also needs if she is to get her deal passed. She said her proposals were this parliament's "last chance" to end a political deadlock that has held up the entire Brexit process and caused huge public anger. "Today I am making a serious offer to MPs across parliament -- a new Brexit deal," May said in a nationally televised address delivered from the offices of a major accounting firm in London. "The majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum. So I think we need to help them find a way. And I believe there is now one last chance to do that." May set out 10 incentives in all that will be included in a new Brexit bill that is expected to come up for a vote early next month. "We are making a new offer to find common ground in parliament," she said. These include a promise to give MPs a say on whether to remain in a temporary customs union and a commitment "to stay aligned with Northern Ireland" should no permanent trade deal with the EU be agreed by the end of 2020. That promise is aimed at ensuring the support of her Northern Irish coalition partners after they broke ranks and voted against her Brexit deal, helping defeat it three times in parliament.

British Prime Minister May holds out promise of new Brexit referendum

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