Theresa May faces tough opposition to controversial Brexit deal

World Today

British lawmakers will vote next week on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal. It’s widely considered the most significant debate for Britain in decades. Now, May is making last-ditch efforts to save the deal from defeat.

CGTN’s Richard Bestic filed this from London.

May’s Brexit agreement with the European Union must have Parliamentary backing as she works to win over her critics.

“We’ll be setting out proposals for a greater role for parliament, as we move into the next stage of negotiations,” May said. “We are continuing to work on further assurances and further undertakings from the European Union in relation to the concern that has been expressed by parliamentarians.”

Brexit is divisive, and tempers are getting frayed. In Parliament, a third of lawmakers (including many from May’s own Party) demand she rule out a ‘No-Deal Brexit’.

There’s little-improved prospect since, when facing Parliamentary defeat, May pulled the last Brexit vote.

The Bank of England and the U.K. Treasury have both warned of severe economic harm from a Hard Brexit. However, they agree the U.K. economy would be smaller with whatever deal is finally agreed on.

Even so, an agreement is still far from secure.

“If there’s no consensus anywhere, as I think there is, then you’ve reached that impasse, what are you going to do? A general election will solve nothing,” said Anna Soubry, a Pro-Remain, Member of Parliament. “So there’s only one thing to do: take this back to the British people.”

What happens in this critical vote next Tuesday will possibly shape the future of Britain and its relationship with the powerful European Union for decades to come.

Despite the huge economic and political significance, the country and the world is still in the dark as to how the final acts of this Brexit drama will play out.