Brexit: Theresa May is to call-off Tuesday’s crucial vote on her Brexit deal in the face of what was expected to be a significant defeat by Tory rebels.
Government sources have said the prime minister is set to tell MPs about the delay in a statement at 15:30 GMT.
Downing Street had been insisting the vote would go ahead.(for several weeks)
The pound fell sharply in response, shedding 0.5% versus the US dollar to stand at $1.26. Against the euro, the pound was 0.8% down at 1.10 euros.
Mrs May’s Commons statement will be followed by a statement from Commons leader Andrea Leadsom – and then a statement from the Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay on Article 50 – the legal mechanism taking the UK out of the EU on 29 March.
The deal has been agreed with the EU – but it needs to be backed by the UK Parliament if it is to become law ahead of the UK’s departure.
Mrs May is thought to be trying to convince MPs to back her deal by suggesting the Northern Ireland backstop – the main item they object to – could be modified.
But European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said the EU would not renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46509288
For months the UK government has been building up to putting the Brexit deal to the UK parliament, which has been negotiated between the May government and the EU.
Theresa May had been heavily criticized during the negotiation period for conceding easily to EU demands. It has been seen by many on both sides of the political spectrum as a disastrous deal on offer from the EU, because it is effectively not only Brexit in name only but actually hands increasing power to the EU at the UK’s expense.
Nevertheless, the Theresa May government has desperately tried their best to convince the members of parliament and the UK public that her terrible deal is actually a fantastic deal for the UK. Furthermore, May has threatened that she would never cancel the Brexit vote in parliament and repeatedly told MPs to back her deal or there would be Brexit at all.
Theresa May’s parliamentary colleagues from her own party are now demanding she go back to Brussels to renegotiate the Brexit deal, this despite the EU having said they will absolutely not be offering any concessions on the withdrawal agreement.
This leaves the May government in a perilous position. There is a chance that in the coming days the Theresa May government will face a confidence vote in Parliament, and should they lose that there could be a General Election held in the coming weeks and/or a second EU referendum.
Reaction:
Steve Baker MP, member of May’s Conservative Party:
The meaningful vote is postponed:
This is essentially a defeat of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal. The terms of the WA were so bad that they didn’t dare put it to Parliament for a vote.
This isn’t the mark of a stable government or a strong plan. pic.twitter.com/rrykmUPb3A
— Steve Baker MP (@SteveBakerHW) December 10, 2018
Leader of the opposition in Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn:
Leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon:
@NicolaSturgeon
So it is confirmed – pathetic cowardice it is from PM. Yet again the interests of the Tory party are a higher priority for her than anything else. This can’t go on.
So it is confirmed – pathetic cowardice it is from PM. Yet again the interests of the Tory party are a higher priority for her than anything else. This can’t go on. t.co/P6dzhZEH7d
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 10, 2018
So @jeremycorbyn – if Labour, as official opposition, lodges motion of no confidence in this incompetent government tomorrow, @theSNP will support & we can then work together to give people the chance to stop Brexit in another vote. This shambles can’t go on – so how about it?
So @jeremycorbyn – if Labour, as official opposition, lodges motion of no confidence in this incompetent government tomorrow, @theSNP will support & we can then work together to give people the chance to stop Brexit in another vote. This shambles can’t go on – so how about it?
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 10, 2018
Nadine Dorries, Conserative MP:
@NadineDorries
Pity they had to go to the wire and that the campaign of blackmail, propaganda and threats to her own MPs didn’t work.
Pity they had to go to the wire and that the campaign of blackmail, propaganda and threats to her own MPs didn’t work. t.co/1EDxSJbz3N
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) December 10, 2018
Theresa May to address Parliament on Brexit amid reports key vote will be postponed
Theresa May has reportedly cancelled the parliamentary vote on her EU Withdrawal Deal, she is set to address parliament later this afternoon. The u-turn has lead to accusations that the government is in chaos.
The last minute, u-turn has been widely condemned by May’s opponents and journalists.
h/t NewGeneration2019