Theresa May Abandons Plans To Secure Parliamentary Approval

Theresa May Abandons Plans To Secure Parliamentary Approval

By Ben Kerrigan-

Theresa May has  abandoned a plan  to secure parliamentary approval for her  EU withdrawal agreement before next week’s local elections, as hopes fade for any cross-party accord with Labour on Brexit. The prime minister wants to ask MPs to vote on legislation to approve Britain’s exit from the EU, but the withdrawal agreement bill was excluded from next week’s business for the House of Commons because of fears it would face certain defeat.

Mrs May had been considering holding a vote on the bill ahead of the local elections on Thursday. However, the government’s Brexit talks with Labour have stalled and many of Ms May’s advisers do not  expect the bill to approved before May 23, when Britain would have to take part in European Parliament elections.

A downing Street spokeswoman said of  the government’s intention to hold a vote on the withdrawal agreement bill, said: “We have said we want to do it as soon as possible.” Acknowledging that the government would only hold the vote if it thought there was a chance of winning, she added: “We need the House to support it.” Ms May has recently been under increased pressure by disillusioned Mps to step down from her position as prime minister over her approach to Brexit, and her decision to meet with Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn

The prime minister promised last month to step down once her deal was approved by parliament, and potential Conservative leadership contenders are growing frustrated.Andrea Leadsom, leader of the Commons, said it was “absolutely unacceptable” that Britain would be forced to take part in European elections because “the House has not found it in its heart to be able to fulfil the will of the people”.

 

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