Brexit agreement rejected for the third time by UK lawmakers

UK deputies on Friday rejected for the third time the divorce agreement of Prime Minister Theresa May, paving the way for a long delay for Brexit – or a chaotic withdrawal "no agreement" in two weeks.

The pound slipped as legislators defied May's call to end Britain's stalemate in a deep political crisis, defeating its withdrawal agreement by 344 votes to 286 .

Britain had to leave the EU on Friday, the "Independence Day", long announced on March 29, but with the paralysis of parliament, May asked European leaders a little more time to last week.

She must now explain what follows, after EU Council President Donald Tusk immediately convened a summit in Brussels on 10 April.

The EU has set April 12 as the deadline to make a decision, with two likely options: Britain leaves the region without any agreement or accepts a long extension to allow time for a new approach.

The Prime Minister said that it would be "unacceptable" to ask voters to participate in the European Parliament elections in May, three years after voting in a 2016 referendum in favor of the release of the 39; EU.

MEPs have repeatedly rejected the outcome of a "no deal", fearing a catastrophe if Britain broke relations with its closest trading partner without any plan in place.

However, this default legal option remains the rule, and the European Commission said after Friday's vote that it remained the "likely scenario".

This was echoed by the French presidency, which said London should "urgently present an alternative plan in the coming days".

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added: "We are running out of time to prevent a messy Brexit."

Electoral speech

Thousands of demonstrators waving flags gathered in front of Parliament on Friday to accuse MPs of betraying Brexit, holding up signs saying "Make our kingdom" and "Free Britain now".

Inside, May said that she would continue to press for an "orderly Brexit", but added: "The consequences of the decision of the House are serious".

The Prime Minister had proposed to resign if the deputies supported the agreement, but if some of his detractors followed, 34 of the 314 deputies of his conservative party have always rebelled.

"I'm afraid we are reaching the limits of this process in this house," she said.

Her comments sparked speculation that she could call elections as the only way out of the stalemate, which the opposition parties claimed.

But his spokesman said that she did not think it would be "in the country's interest".

May's authority rests in shreds after weeks of unrest, but authorities have hinted that she could still attempt to bring the agreement back to the MPs for the fourth and last time.

His spokesman said the number of opponents to the agreement was dropping, rising from a 230 majority in January to 149 earlier this month and now to 58, adding: "We let's go at least in the right direction. "

MEPs can put an end to this nightmare

The inability of Parliament to agree on Brexit terms has left companies unable to plan even a few weeks in advance.

"We are running out of words to say how sick business leaders are to get stuck in this void that tarnishes the mind," said Edwin Morgan, Acting Director of the Institute. directors.

May blamed the deputies, but they say it's his refusal to change course that blocks any solution.

"It is clear that the House does not support this agreement … and if the Prime Minister can not accept it, then she must leave," said the Labor opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Tired of waiting, this week 's MPs have given themselves unprecedented powers to vote on various options for Britain' s future relations with the EU.

A proposal for a new customs union was nearly pbaded in a first round, as was a plan for a referendum on the May deal, with more votes expected next Monday and Wednesday.

"Only MPs can put an end to this nightmare for businesses," said Josh Hardie, CBI's lobby group.

The risk that MEPs decide to agree to closer ties with the EU, or even to stop Brexit altogether, has persuaded some of their supporters to reluctantly return to the May deal.

Among his most fervent critics include former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson – one of the leading contenders for substitutes – and MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

However, the Unionist Democratic Party (DUP), May's North-Irish ally, held out, saying the arrangements to keep the Irish border open after Brexit remained unacceptable.

"We are not ready to see our constitutional position changed by Brussels in a tantrum for daring to leave the EU," said MP Sammy Wilson, DUP spokesperson for Brexit.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been changed by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated thread.)

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