By Ben Kerrigan-
The Uk is likely to leave the EU without a deal, EU chiefs have today confirmed.
The state of play was confirmed by the EU commission shortly after British MPs rejected Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement, making this the third time options for Brexit have been voted down in parliament. making a no deal scenario the likely outcome of this drawn out process in search of a Brexit deal.
The UK parliament has consistently refused every deal or option presented, in one of the most divisive times in the history of British politics. The Uk has missed an EU deadline to delay Brexit to 22 May and leave with a deal.
In a statement, spelling potential economic doom for the Uk, the European Commission said the UK would have to “indicate a way forward” by 12 April “for consideration by the European Council”.”A ‘no-deal’ scenario on 12 April is now a likely scenario. The EU has been preparing for this since December 2017 and is now fully prepared for a ‘no-deal’ scenario at midnight on 12 April.
The EU will remain united,” the statement said.”The benefits of the withdrawal agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a ‘no-deal’ scenario. Sectoral mini-deals are not an option.”
The prime minister said the UK would have to find “an alternative way forward”, which was “almost certain” to involve holding European elections. Ms May said that the UK would have to find “an alternative way forward”.
Expressing the outcome was “a matter of profound regret”, the PM said: “I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House” A spokesperson for Downing Street said:
“Clearly it was not the result we wanted. But, that said, we have had a number of senior Conservative colleagues who have felt able to vote with the government today. They have done so in higher numbers than previously,” the source said.
“Clearly there is more work to do. We are at least going in the right direction.”
Responding to the vote, European Council President Donald Tusk(pictured) tweeted: “In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The House has been clear, this deal now has to change.
“There has to be an alternative found. And if the prime minister can’t accept that then she must go, not at an indeterminate date in the future but now.
“So that we can decide the future of this country through a general election.”
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the European Research Group of Brexiteer Conservatives, said it was time for Mrs May to quit.
“This must be the final defeat for Theresa May’s deal. It’s finished. And we must move on.
“It has not passed. It will not pass. I regret to say it is time for Theresa May to follow through on her words and make way so that a new leader can deliver a withdrawal agreement which will be passed by Parliament