British opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn moved a step closer to paving the way for another referendum on EU membership by trying to use parliament to grab control of Brexit from Prime Minister Theresa May.
With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Brexit, the UK is in the deepest political crisis in half a century as it grapples with how, or even whether, to exit the European project it joined in 1973.
Since May's divorce deal with the EU was rejected by 432-202 MPs last week, the biggest defeat in modern British history, MPs have been trying to plot a course out of the crisis, yet no option has the support of parliament.
Labour put forward an amendment seeking to force the government to give parliament time to consider and vote on options to prevent a “no deal” exit including a customs union with the EU, and “a public vote on a deal”.
“It is time for Labour's alternative plan to take centre stage, while keeping all options on the table, including the option of a public vote,” said Corbyn, who put his name to the amendment.
It was the first time the Labour leadership had put forward in parliament the possibility of a second vote, which was welcomed by some opponents of Brexit.
However, the party said it did not support another referendum and MPs cautioned that the amendment would not garner the support of parliament.
MPs have so far put forward six amendments with proposals for a delay to Brexit, a new vote and even for parliament to grab control of the process. They will vote on the next steps on Tuesday.
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said a no-deal Brexit was “obviously the worst case scenario”.
May on Monday proposed tweaking her deal, a bid to win over rebel Conservative MPs and the Northern Irish party which props up her government, but Labour said May was in denial about the crushing defeat of her plans. She refused to rule out a no-deal Brexit, warning that another referendum could damage social cohesion.
The European Commission's chief spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, said yesterday that British-ruled Northern Ireland would automatically have a “hard border” with its southern neighbour if Britain leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
The EU's position is that Ireland, like other member states, would have to enforce EU customs and other checks on imports from Britain after Brexit in the absence of a special deal.
But May's spokesperson said Britain would do everything to prevent a hard border. Reuters