London: With two days to go until the crucial Brexit vote, British Prime Minister Theresa May Sunday warned MPs they will face “uncharted waters” if they rejected her deal, saying their actions could lead to a general election, as there was a “very real risk of no Brexit”.
Speaking to the Mail, May said a rejection of her proposals would mean “grave uncertainty” for the UK.
If the deal is rejected, it is unclear what happens next, with May insisting her deal was best for the country.
“When I say if this deal does not pass we would truly be in uncharted waters, I hope people understand this is what I genuinely believe and fear could happen,” May said.
“It would mean grave uncertainty for the nation with a very real risk of no Brexit or leaving the European Union with no deal.”
Downing Street has already denied newspaper suggestions that May could postpone Tuesday’s vote. “The vote is going ahead,” a spokesman said.
November, the UK agreed a Brexit deal with the EU, however, it still needs to be approved by the Parliament.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the DUP, the SNP and dozens of Conservative MPs have said they cannot support the deal, meaning it was unlikely to pass, the BBC said.
She accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of thinking of “nothing but attempting to bring about a general election, no matter what the cost to the country” and, in a warning to Tory rebels, said: “I believe Jeremy Corbyn getting his hands on power is a risk we cannot afford to take.”
Brexit Minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sophy Ridge on Sky News that the deal allowed the UK to leave the EU “in an orderly and smooth way”.
The Brexiteer added: “I understand why people who want to stay in the EU want to do it down… I’m very surprised that people on our side of the argument… are willing to blow up a deal which actually delivers a very good path out of the EU.”
What now?
The vote on Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Agreement is expected between December 10 and 15, although it could be delayed until January if the prime minister looks likely to lose.
If it is approved, Mrs May will have survived her biggest political test and will be on course to deliver Brexit as promised on March 29 next year.
If it is rejected, possibilities include:
- Mrs May being forced out by her own MPs. A hardline replacement could threaten the EU with a no-deal Brexit, while a Remainer could demand new negotiations with the EU.
- Labour tabling a vote of no confidence in the government, hoping to force a general election by winning.
- Mrs May attempting to reopen negotiations with the EU.
- A stock market crash or collapse in the pound that forces MPs to change their minds, allowing Mrs May to win a second vote.
- Mrs May calling a general election to win a fresh mandate for her plan. She could also try to force it through on a vote of confidence — threatening MPs with a general election unless they agree to support it.
- The prime minister calling her MPs’ bluff and allowing the UK to crash out of the EU with no deal.
- Parliament voting to take control of negotiations and ordering the PM to seek another deal — perhaps a Norway-style soft Brexit. MPs and peers will have powers to intervene if no solution has been agreed by January 21.
- Mrs May, her successor, or an incoming Labour government could decide to hold a second referendum.
IANS
