May urges parliament to back her on Brexit, tells Britons 'I'm on your side'

[webfact]

May urges parliament to back her on Brexit, tells Britons 'I'm on your side'

By Elizabeth Piper, Kylie MacLellan and William James

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May listens in Parliament, in London, Britain March 20, 2019, in this screen grab taken from video. Reuters TV via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May made an impassioned appeal to British lawmakers to support her on Wednesday after the European Union said it could only grant her request to delay Brexit for three months if parliament next week backed her plans for leaving.

 

May had earlier asked the EU to let Britain delay its departure date from March 29 to June 30, a question that leaders of the remaining 27 member states will discuss at a summit on Thursday.

 

European Council President Donald Tusk said it would be possible to grant Britain a short postponement if parliament next week backs May's divorce agreement, which it has already voted down twice.

 

Should that happen, Tusk said no extraordinary EU summit would be needed next week before the current Brexit date. Otherwise, he said he might convene the leaders again.

 

"I believe that a short extension will be possible, but it will be conditional on a positive vote on the Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons," Tusk told journalists.

 

He did not comment on the possibility - which he himself has suggested - that another option such as a longer delay might be offered to avoid a painful no-deal exit if May's deal was voted down again.

 

May said British lawmakers had spent long enough saying what they did not want from Brexit, and that people were tired of their infighting, political games and arcane procedural rows.

 

"I passionately hope MPs (lawmakers) will find a way to back the deal I have negotiated with the EU," May said in a televised address.

She said lawmakers had a choice: leave the EU with a deal, leave without a deal, or not leave at all.

 

"It is high time we made a decision," May said, telling Britons: "I am on your side."

 

"RATIFY OR EXIT"

Earlier, she had told a rowdy session of parliament that she could not countenance the prospect of a long delay - which could give time for notional alternative approaches to emerge, but would infuriate Brexit supporters in her own party.

 

"As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30th of June," she said.

 

May did not say when the next vote on her deal would happen.

 

If she cannot win over enough reluctant lawmakers next week, Britain faces the choice of requesting a longer delay or leaving the EU as planned on March 29 - without a deal to cushion the economic upheaval.

 

Some EU states, including Germany, had given a largely positive response to May's well-flagged request.

 

But French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said May would need to make her case before EU leaders.

 

"Our position is to send the British a clear and simple message. As Theresa May has repeatedly said herself, there are only two options to get out of the EU: ratify the Withdrawal Agreement or exit without a deal," he told the French parliament.

 

May's initiative was the latest twist in more than two years of negotiations that have left British politics in chaos and her authority in tatters.

 

After the defeats in parliament opened up the possibility of Britain leaving the EU without a deal, May told parliament on Wednesday that she remained committed to leaving "in an orderly manner".

 

Her announcement that she was asking for a three-month delay caused uproar in the chamber. The opposition Labour Party accused her of "blackmail, bullying and bribery" in her attempts to force her deal through, and one prominent Brexit supporter in her own Conservative Party said seeking a delay was "betraying the British people".

 

NO CLARITY

Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU by 52 percent to 48 - a decision that has split the country, opening up divisive debates over the future of the economy, Britain's place in the world and the nature of Britishness itself.

 

A European Commission document seen by Reuters said the delay should either be several weeks shorter, to avoid a clash with European Parliament elections in May, or last at least until the end of the year, which would oblige Britain to take part in the elections.

 

May asked in her statement what kind of message this would send to those who voted for Brexit.

 

The pound fell on the uncertainty surrounding the potential delay and the fact that a no-deal Brexit remained possible, but recovered ground late in the evening. [GBP/]

 

Nearly three years after the referendum, there is still no clarity over how, when or even whether the world's fifth largest economy should leave the bloc it joined in 1973.

 

When May set the March 29 exit date two years ago, she declared there would be "no turning back". But parliament's refusal to ratify the withdrawal deal she agreed with the EU has thrust her divided government into crisis.

 

The Labour Party said that, by choosing a short delay, May was forcing lawmakers to decide between accepting a deal they have already rejected or leaving without a deal.

 

Many pro-Brexit members of May's Conservative Party are opposed to a longer delay because they fear it could mean Brexit might never happen. They argue that Britain can do well outside the European Union - even though an abrupt departure would cause short-term pain.

 

(Additional reporting by by Kate Holton and Alistair Smout in London and Alastair MacDonald in Brussels; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Giles Elgood; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-21

[Basil B]

194 hours and we are out by default unless there is a miracle.

[bomber]

????  80% of MPs dont want it,who is going to to set wheels in motion to stop it.

[Laughing Gravy]

Well if there is one thing May is consistent ... in changing her mind and lying. As suspected she was a remainer and still is a remainer. Any PM with any self worth and dignity would have resigned. She really has done a great job.... for the EU.

She will stay and do her best and try and sell her deal that has been thwarted twice as a good deal. She won't resign as she and the EU know a Brexiteer would be in charge and the negotiations would be very differently.

 

[Loiner]

“I am on your side.” Theresa May’s lies are getting more desperate and obvious.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[dick dasterdly]

19 minutes ago, Loiner said:

“I am on your side.” Theresa May’s lies are getting more desperate and obvious.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Yes, I too could only laugh when reading this statement from may!

[Grouse]

2 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Well if there is one thing May is consistent ... in changing her mind and lying. As suspected she was a remainer and still is a remainer. Any PM with any self worth and dignity would have resigned. She really has done a great job.... for the EU.

She will stay and do her best and try and sell her deal that has been thwarted twice as a good deal. She won't resign as she and the EU know a Brexiteer would be in charge and the negotiations would be very differently.

 

You are beginning to sound ridiculous.

 

May looks at the country as a substitute family. She is incapable of saying no.

Edited March 21, 2019 by Grouse

[Grouse]

4 hours ago, bomber said:

????  80% of MPs dont want it,who is going to to set wheels in motion to stop it.

Everyone now

[Scott]

Offensive post reported and removed.   Continue and face a suspension.

 

[soalbundy]

Whose side would that be, there are two sides, however this turns out there will be a gnashing of gums, futile demonstrations and an impotent parliament, Brexit has done what no war could, it has divided the country. Brexit will possibly happen in one form or another and nobody will be satisfied and 5 to 10 years further on we will be back in the EU.

[Chomper Higgot]

34 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Whose side would that be, there are two sides, however this turns out there will be a gnashing of gums, futile demonstrations and an impotent parliament, Brexit has done what no war could, it has divided the country. Brexit will possibly happen in one form or another and nobody will be satisfied and 5 to 10 years further on we will be back in the EU.

Ask

 

cui bono?

 

Then follow the money that backed Brexit and see if it came from those that benefit.

[superal]

25 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Ask

 

cui bono?

 

Then follow the money that backed Brexit and see if it came from those that benefit.

and the answer is ?  same could be aimed at Cameron's gang of fear mongers with government backed money and conflict of interests

[superal]

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

Whose side would that be, there are two sides, however this turns out there will be a gnashing of gums, futile demonstrations and an impotent parliament, Brexit has done what no war could, it has divided the country. Brexit will possibly happen in one form or another and nobody will be satisfied and 5 to 10 years further on we will be back in the EU.

Divided country from initial Brexit but a new vote would I think show a bigger " leave " majority given the rotten TM deal and the EU bully tactics . 

[JonnyF]

May and Tusk conspiring to force their stinker of a deal through. May should resign immediately to give way to someone who believes in the project rather than someone who only wishes to frustrate the process.

 

Hopefully MP's will stand up to these bully boy tactics and vote this rotten deal down for a third time so we can have a clean break from this corrupt cartel on March 29 as the British electorate voted for almost 3 years ago. 

[Topdoc]

The one good point to come out of this mess is that the rot within the self-serving political class is now visible for all to see. You see, the EU has semi-corruption as one of its levers because it offers ex-MP's highly paid job opportunities with generous perks and lots of holidays, something the UK doesn't do.

[mokwit]

4 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Well if there is one thing May is consistent ... in changing her mind and lying. As suspected she was a remainer and still is a remainer. Any PM with any self worth and dignity would have resigned. She really has done a great job.... for the EU.

She will stay and do her best and try and sell her deal that has been thwarted twice as a good deal. She won't resign as she and the EU know a Brexiteer would be in charge and the negotiations would be very differently.

 

Globalist mole offering "Brexit" indistinguishable from staying in EU

[mokwit]

Just now, Topdoc said:

The one good point to come out of this mess is that the rot within the self-serving political class is now visible for all to see. You see, the EU has semi-corruption as one of its levers because it offers ex-MP's highly paid job opportunities with generous perks and lots of holidays, something the UK doesn't do.

MP's want the same as the Kinnocks got.

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, Grouse said:

You are beginning to sound ridiculous.

 

May looks at the country as a substitute family. She is incapable of saying no.

"May looks at the country as a substitute family."

 

And yet more misogynist rhetoric....

[dick dasterdly]

8 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Globalist mole offering "Brexit" indistinguishable from staying in EU

To be fair, the eu/may deal is distinguishable from staying in the eu - as the 'deal' is far worse!

[dick dasterdly]

11 minutes ago, Topdoc said:

The one good point to come out of this mess is that the rot within the self-serving political class is now visible for all to see. You see, the EU has semi-corruption as one of its levers because it offers ex-MP's highly paid job opportunities with generous perks and lots of holidays, something the UK doesn't do.

It's not so much the stupidly highly paid jobs as MEPs they are seeking, as there aren't many on offer.  It's more the consultancies/directorships etc. etc. they want from big business.....

[mokwit]

Just now, dick dasterdly said:

To be fair, the eu/may deal is distinguishable from staying in the eu - as the 'deal' is far worse!

Exactly, we get to keep all the things we didn't want and lose what benefited us.

[nauseus]

I stayed up far too late to watch and listen to this "I'm on your side" PM, who needs:

 

1. To resign.

2. A really good psychiatrist.

3. Phil to give her one (anywhere).

 

( 2 and 3 not necessarily in that order).

 

UK Law needs:

Strong and stable tests for PM candidates.

 

 

[dick dasterdly]

To look on the bright side (and I apologise in advance for this comment) - I'm finding the current situation faced by both uk and eu MPs very funny!

 

I'm beginning to enjoy the brexit topic again, as I'm pretty sure they're all inbetween a rock and a hard place - and brit. MPs will be 'hammered' at the next GE ????.

[dick dasterdly]

54 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Exactly, we get to keep all the things we didn't want and lose what benefited us.

Let's not forget the 39bn that the eu and may want us to pay for BRINO ????!

[doctormann]

As far as T May is concerned, Oliver Cromwell said it best:

 

'In the name of God, go!'

[champers]

Theresa May has steadfastly stood by the country's decision to leave the EU. She has resolutely respected the democratic exercise put in place by David Cameron. When she became PM the general opinion was that she was an unenthusiastic remainer. She appointed 3 major Brexiteers to her cabinet, 2 have jumped ship, only Liam Fox remains.

I cannot see that she has an agenda other than to get the best deal she can for the whole of the UK. She is stepping down as PM before the next general election. What does she owe to a Tory party that has constantly undermined her from both wings?

In the face of much hostile vitriol and downright personal abuse, she has maintained a calm and professional deportment. 

Too many MPs and political commentators have adopted a sneering and critical attitude from the sidelines without offering up a viable and detailed alternative Brexit policy.

The country has descended into tabloid speak and faux outrage, where the strength of one's vitriol counts for more than the strength of an opposing point of view (not that many exist).

[sammieuk1]

Next she will be saying you poor have never had it so good???? 

[nauseus]

27 minutes ago, champers said:

Theresa May has steadfastly stood by the country's decision to leave the EU. She has resolutely respected the democratic exercise put in place by David Cameron. When she became PM the general opinion was that she was an unenthusiastic remainer. She appointed 3 major Brexiteers to her cabinet, 2 have jumped ship, only Liam Fox remains.

I cannot see that she has an agenda other than to get the best deal she can for the whole of the UK. She is stepping down as PM before the next general election. What does she owe to a Tory party that has constantly undermined her from both wings?

In the face of much hostile vitriol and downright personal abuse, she has maintained a calm and professional deportment. 

Too many MPs and political commentators have adopted a sneering and critical attitude from the sidelines without offering up a viable and detailed alternative Brexit policy.

The country has descended into tabloid speak and faux outrage, where the strength of one's vitriol counts for more than the strength of an opposing point of view (not that many exist).

Your loyalty is commendable but misguided:

 

If that is the best deal she can get for the whole of the UK then she should go.

 

She has undermined two Brexit ministers herself. She has neither allowed nor considered suggestions of an alternative Brexit policy, from her own cabinet, party, or x-party.

 

Last night this pathetic "I'm on your side" line has probably alienated any remaining parliamentary allies and has weakened her terminally. She can't expect any help now. She must resign.

Edited March 21, 2019 by nauseus

[Baerboxer]

24 minutes ago, champers said:

Theresa May has steadfastly stood by the country's decision to leave the EU. She has resolutely respected the democratic exercise put in place by David Cameron. When she became PM the general opinion was that she was an unenthusiastic remainer. She appointed 3 major Brexiteers to her cabinet, 2 have jumped ship, only Liam Fox remains.

I cannot see that she has an agenda other than to get the best deal she can for the whole of the UK. She is stepping down as PM before the next general election. What does she owe to a Tory party that has constantly undermined her from both wings?

In the face of much hostile vitriol and downright personal abuse, she has maintained a calm and professional deportment. 

Too many MPs and political commentators have adopted a sneering and critical attitude from the sidelines without offering up a viable and detailed alternative Brexit policy.

The country has descended into tabloid speak and faux outrage, where the strength of one's vitriol counts for more than the strength of an opposing point of view (not that many exist).

 

She has put her "best" deal before parliament twice. She has been defeated by record amounts. 

 

Even to the most naive it must look like she's ran the clock down deliberately, conspired with the EU, and trying blackmail through fear, bribery, and bullying to get her twice rejected deal accepted. It's a deal very few in the UK want - Brexiters, Remainers, undecided and those that changed their mind all seem to agree her deal is crap.

The only people who want this deal seem to be May, a few cronies and the EU. 

 

She tried to avert all this by illegally using the Royal Prerogative. If she hadn't been taken to court and done that her crap deal would've been accepted by her cabinet without any reference to parliament and probably with a lot of details not made public. 

 

The country has every right to be outraged at the diabolical way she and her cronies have managed this; the inept opposition; and the true picture of the current crop of MP's now being seen.

 

 

[mercman24]

never met such a lying bitch, even her own lot are not on her side. and she still persists, despite being voted down twice, does she think it will be any different next time she is a REMAINER