By Lucy Caulkett-
Theresa May will first enjoy her Christmas break before permitting a Brexit deal vote in January next year. Downing Street today confirmed it has extended the all important vote to take place in the Commons until January next year. The crucial vote on the withdrawal agreement made with the EU would not be brought to parliament until January. May’s comments come in the midst of her recent victory following the vote of no confidence in her leadership that saw her keep her post as prime minister. Several Mps had plotted to get her out of office over the unyielding Brexit deal that leaves the Uk in the undesirable situation of having to being trapped with a back stop on the Irish boarder without any say on when when Britain can change their position.
Theresa May’s latest visit to Brussels has changed nothing, but Mps have not been able to explain how else the prime minister should address the situation. If EU leaders are hell bent on making things difficult, parliament may be required to either accept the bullish deal, or or settle for a no deal. Ministers have long been against a hard Brexit or a no deal and would have been very eager to express their disapproval with the deal and May’s leadership. May has more ministers in support of her leadership, leading to the obvious conclusion they believe she is doing her best in the current set of circumstances.
With Christmas looming, May can only be relieved and feeling victorious that she is still in power.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “I can confirm the meaningful vote will not be brought to parliament before Christmas.”The spokesperson said the vote will be held in the Commons “as soon as possible in January”. May needs to enjoy the Christmas vacation before facing another vote, and will do so knowing she has done her best in very difficult circumstances. May, like many prime ministers before her is not perfect, but inherited the very tough circumstances of a Brexit she did not even initially vote for. She truly has been trying to deliver the will of the people, although the argument that the Brexit unfolding is not what people voted for is a serious point many have been saying.
The most important thing is for the entire topic of Brexit to be debated fully, with every relevant point considered fully. The Prime minister should not be blamed for matters outside her control, except where they have a better solution to the problem.
Theresa May has already said she intends to hold the vote before the 21st of the month.The vote was originally due to take place on Tuesday, but she performed a dramatic U turn when faced with the prospect of defeat. It would have been stupid for Theresa May to allow the vote continue before Christmas after all the internal challenges she has faced lately. The huge challenge striking a Brexit deal presents is one the British public and Parliament as whole have to address without necessarily launching a coup that leaves the problem unsolved, or even make the problem worse than it is.