Back me or lose Brexit, Theresa May tells MPs
British premier failed to win over the main Leave faction in her own party, while Northern Ireland’s DUP, which props up her minority government, said it will vote against her plan
London — Prime Minister Theresa May battled to win support for her plans for an orderly Brexit on Tuesday, urging sceptical Conservative Party members to vote for her deal or risk not leaving the EU at all. Hours before a vote on the deal in parliament, May had failed to win over the main Brexit faction in her own party, while Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up her minority government, said it will vote against her. Nonetheless, May defended her plan as a good deal compared with a series of unattractive alternatives. “If this vote is not passed tonight, if this deal is not passed, then Brexit could be lost,” a hoarse-voiced May told MPsin the House of Commons. In a last-ditch bid to save her Brexit plan just over two weeks before the UK is due to leave, May rushed to Strasbourg on Monday to agree legally binding assurances with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. But Britain’s attorney-general, Geoffrey Cox, dealt a blow to May’s plans,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.