As May Postpones Brexit Vote, UK Gov't in 'Complete Disarray'

Prime minister had faced massive defeat in Parliament
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 11, 2018 12:52 AM CST
UK Government in 'Disarray' as Brexit Vote Postponed
The lit-up words "Peoples Vote," calling for another referendum on Britain's European Union membership, are seen across the street from the Houses of Parliament in London, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

British Prime Minister Theresa May has postponed Parliament's vote on her European Union divorce deal to avoid a shattering defeat—a decision that throws her Brexit plans into chaos. All signs had pointed to a big defeat for the prime minister in the vote planned for Tuesday. But postponing the vote is a fresh humiliation for May, who became prime minister after Britain's 2016 decision to leave the EU, the AP reports. May has been battling over the Brexit ever since—first to strike a divorce deal with the bloc, then to sell it to skeptical British lawmakers before the UK leaves the bloc on March 29.

European Union official Donald Tusk said the bloc won't renegotiate the Brexit deal with the UK government as he called a summit Thursday to examine ways to help Britain ratify the deal. He said that "as time is running out, we will also discuss our preparedness for a no-deal scenario." British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn challenged May's decision to delay the Brexit vote, arguing that her government is in "complete disarray." Labour lawmakers shouted "Resign! Resign!' as May wrapped up her remarks Monday. Corbyn described the situation as unprecedented and serious. He said "the government has lost control of events and is in complete disarray."

(More Brexit stories.)

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