UK parliament rejects "no-deal" Brexit

2019-03-14 2

Let's start our World News with Brexit again….and British lawmakers have voted against the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram….
Aram… what's the latest?

Well Mark…. The result of Wednesday's vote was 312 to 308, so quite a slim margin.
The vote is not a legally-binding decision, but has significant political force.
Prime Minister Theresa May warned MPs that a no-deal exit remains the default option if the UK cannot reach a deal with the EU.
Now it's a question of how much time will be given for negotiating a new agreement.
MPs will vote again on Thursday on whether to delay the March 29th divorce date.
However, all EU member states also have to agree on such a decision.
The Prime Minister said if MPs can support a deal in the coming days, it will allow the government to seek a short delay to Brexit.
However, if parliament cannot agree upon a deal May has warned that the delay will have to be longer.
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said parliament must now take control.

"…..Parliament must now take control of the situation. In the days that follow, Mr Speaker, myself, the shadow Brexit secretary and others will have meetings with members across the House, to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House…."

Reacting to Wednesday's vote, the EU's spokesperson said "it is not enough to vote against no deal, you have to agree to a deal."
The EU has drawn up contingency measures in case the UK crashes out without an agreement.
It has also ruled out the possibility of renegotiating the deal after Tuesday's vote to reject it.