Decision time as British MPs vote on Brexit deal

The British parliament holds a historic vote Tuesday on the Brexit deal agreed with the EU and all sides are bracing for turmoil when the text is almost certainly rejected.

With just over two months to go until the scheduled Brexit date of March 29, a bitterly divided Britain is in limbo and the world is on tenterhooks about what will happen next.

Few expect the deal to pass, but the scale of Prime Minister Theresa May's defeat could determine whether she tries again, loses office, delays Brexit -- or if Britain even leaves the EU at all.

MPs from all parties oppose the agreement, for different reasons, but on the eve of the vote May urged them to look again.

"No, it is not perfect. And yes, it is a compromise," she said.

"But when the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this house... and ask: did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the European Union? "Or did we let the British people down?"
Speculation is growing on both sides of the Channel that May could ask to delay Brexit, but she said Monday: "I don't believe that the date of March 29 should be delayed."