Advertisement

Theresa May fights to keep Brexit on track after surviving no-confidence vote

Click to play video: 'UK parliament announces debate date for May’s Brexit ‘plan B’'
UK parliament announces debate date for May’s Brexit ‘plan B’
ABOVE: UK parliament announces debate date for May's Brexit 'plan B' – Jan 17, 2019

British Prime Minister Theresa May was consulting opposition parties and other lawmakers Thursday in a battle to put Brexit back on track after surviving a no-confidence vote, though there was little immediate sign of a breakthrough from talks branded a “stunt” by the main opposition leader.

European Union countries were stepping up preparations for a disorderly British exit on March 29 after the U.K. Parliament rejected May’s Brexit withdrawal deal with the bloc.

Lawmakers threw out the deal Tuesday, in a crushing defeat for May, who suffered the worst parliamentary defeat in modern British history.

The drubbing was followed by a no-confidence vote in the government, but May’s minority Conservative government survived it on Wednesday night with backing from its Northern Irish ally, the Democratic Unionist Party.

Story continues below advertisement

May said she would hold talks “in a constructive spirit” with leaders of opposition parties and other lawmakers in a bid to find a way forward for Britain’s EU exit.

WATCH: U.K. continues to search for Brexit ‘Plan B’ as new poll shows support to ‘remain’ in EU

Click to play video: 'U.K. continues to search for Brexit ‘Plan B’ as new poll shows support to ‘remain’ in EU'
U.K. continues to search for Brexit ‘Plan B’ as new poll shows support to ‘remain’ in EU

The government confirmed that May will meet a Monday deadline to publish a Plan B, and that lawmakers will have a full day to debate it — and, crucially, amend it — on Jan. 29.

There was little sign of a breakthrough in uniting Parliament’s feuding Brexit factions, whose conflicting demands range from a postponement of Britain’s departure date to a new referendum on whether to leave the EU or remain.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said he wouldn’t meet with May until she took a no-deal Brexit “off the table.”

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Theresa May says government focused on ‘finding a way forward’ on Brexit.

Click to play video: 'Theresa May says government focused on ‘finding a way forward’ on Brexit'
Theresa May says government focused on ‘finding a way forward’ on Brexit

“To get a deal that can command a majority in Parliament, Theresa May has to ditch the red lines and get serious about proposals for the future,” Corbyn said during a speech to supporters in the English seaside town of Hastings.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Last night’s offer of talks with party leaders turned out to be simply a stunt, not the serious attempt to engage with the new reality that’s needed,” he said.

READ MORE: ‘ORRR-DUHH,’ U.K. Parliament speaker seeks to calm debate amid Brexit meltdown

Green Party lawmaker Caroline Lucas, who met with May on Thursday morning, said the prime minister was “in a fantasy world” if she thought the deal could be transformed by Monday.

Story continues below advertisement

“Parliament is gridlocked,” she said.

WATCH: Theresa May ‘disappointed’ Jeremy Corbyn hasn’t been involved in Brexit meetings

Click to play video: 'Theresa May ‘disappointed’ Jeremy Corbyn hasn’t been involved in Brexit meetings'
Theresa May ‘disappointed’ Jeremy Corbyn hasn’t been involved in Brexit meetings

May so far has showed little inclination to make major changes to her deal or lift her insistence that Brexit means leaving the EU’s single market and customs union. Many lawmakers think a softer departure that retained single market or customs union membership is the only plan capable of winning a majority in Parliament. They fear the alternative is an abrupt “no-deal” withdrawal from the bloc, which businesses and economists fear would cause turmoil.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a longtime Labour Party leader, told the BBC on Thursday that it would be “sensible” for Corbyn to meet with May to better define the type of Brexit that Britain wants. He warned that a “no-deal” Brexit would do substantial harm to Britain’s economy.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: U.K.’s Labour Party could back second Brexit referendum, hints Jeremy Corbyn

Click to play video: 'U.K.’s Labour Party could back second Brexit referendum, hints Jeremy Corbyn'
U.K.’s Labour Party could back second Brexit referendum, hints Jeremy Corbyn

As Britain flounders, the 27 other EU countries have stood firm, saying they won’t renegotiate the withdrawal agreement and insisting the British government and its lawmakers to decide what they want to do.

Some British lawmakers want May to call for an extension of negotiations with the EU and postpone the March 29 deadline to leave the bloc, while others are lobbying for a second Brexit referendum.

WATCH: Former U.K. prime minister calls for delay on Brexit to get people involved in process

Click to play video: 'Former U.K. prime minister calls for delay on Brexit to get people involved in process'
Former U.K. prime minister calls for delay on Brexit to get people involved in process

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron was a holding a special government meeting Thursday on planning to cope with a “no-deal” Brexit.

Story continues below advertisement

The French parliament adopted a law Wednesday allowing emergency measures after March 30 in the event Britain leaves without a deal.

READ MORE: Brexit uncertainty not a problem for Canada, but will hurt global economy, Morneau says

Such measures could aim to reduce problems in cross-border trade and transport, notably through the Eurotunnel beneath the English Channel, and allow British workers and retirees based in France temporary permission to stay until a longer-term deal is worked out.

Throughout the Brexit negotiations, EU leaders accused Britain of trying to “cherry pick” benefits of membership in the bloc, seeking to retain access to the EU’s single market while ending the free movement of European citizens into Britain and breaching other EU guiding principles.

WATCH: U.K. must not rescind Article 50 – former British foreign secretary Johnson

Click to play video: 'U.K. must not rescind Article 50 – former British foreign secretary Johnson'
U.K. must not rescind Article 50 – former British foreign secretary Johnson

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who said Wednesday that he was more concerned than ever that Britain could crash out of the EU without an agreement, said the red lines set out by Britain’s negotiators had “shut doors.”

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Brussels watches Brexit drama – with popcorn

Click to play video: 'Brussels watches Brexit drama – with popcorn'
Brussels watches Brexit drama – with popcorn

Barnier said Thursday that “getting an agreement is in everybody’s interest” and that “something has to change” to secure a divorce deal.

WATCH: David Cameron doesn’t regret calling Brexit referendum

Click to play video: 'David Cameron doesn’t regret calling Brexit referendum'
David Cameron doesn’t regret calling Brexit referendum

“If (the red lines) change, we’ll change,” Barnier said after meeting Portuguese officials in Lisbon.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices