May offers MPs choice to vote on no-deal or delayed Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday MPs would be given a choice to vote on no-deal Brexit or a delayed departure from the European Union (EU) if her deal is rejected in a meaningful vote in mid-March.

The Prime Minister said at the House of Commons, "I do not want to see Article 50 to be extended."

"I know that members (of Parliament) are worried that time is running out. I know too that members are deeply concerned about the effect of the uncertainty on businesses."

May said she was working hard to win a legally binding assurance on the backstop to avoid a hard border on the Irish Island after the planned exit on March 29, Xinhua news agency reported.

The deal, reached by London and Brussels after months of painful negotiations, has been rejected by MPs. Thus, the Prime Minister needs to talk to the unyielding EU leaders on a revised deal to get her agreement passed by Parliament.

"We will hold a second meaningful vote by March 12, at the latest," May said.

According to May, once the government's Brexit plan fails to pass the March 12 vote, the government will table a motion to be voted on March 13 at the latest, "asking this House if it supports the EU without a withdrawal agreement and a framework for a future relationship on March 29."

And if the House rejects no-deal Brexit, the government will on March 14 "bring forward a motion on whether Parliament wants to seek a short, limited extension to Article 50", said the Prime Minister.

The British government will ask the EU to approve the extension if Parliament votes for it, May said.

Accusing the Prime Minister of "running down the clock," Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbin said he wanted a "decisive" second referendum on Brexit.

The British voted in a June 2016 referendum to leave the EU. May who rejected the idea of a second referendum have spoken repeatedly that her government is delivering the outcome of the referendum.

The Prime Minister said her government has "clear and firm commitment" to hold future votes on Brexit options.

--IANS

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