British Prime Minister Theresa May has cancelled a crucial vote in Parliament on whether to approve her Brexit deal in order to avoid what was expected to be a massive defeat.
The vote in the House of Commons to approve the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union was scheduled to be held on Tuesday evening but is now due to be rescheduled. Prime Minister May is reported to be huddled behind closed doors with her top ministers to finalize her government’s position on the proposed Brexit deal, and when to schedule a vote in it in Parliament.
The delay comes as a number of politicians in Prime Minister May’s own party revolt against the Brexit deal in its current form. Delaying the vote throws an already convoluted Brexit process into further confusion. Prime Minister May is due back in Brussels at a summit of European Union leaders on Thursday and is expected to ask for fresh concessions in an attempt to revive the chances of getting her deal through Parliament.
Should Parliament refuse to ratify the withdrawal agreement, the United Kingdom will be on course to leave the European Union without a formal separation agreement, a situation that could cause economic and financial chaos. Prime Minister May herself could be forced from office and the United Kingdom might need a fresh election or a new referendum to resolve the crisis.
Over the weekend, the European Court of Justice ruled that the United Kingdom can cancel Brexit without the permission of the other 27 European Union members. The European Court of Justice ruled that this could be done without altering the terms of Britain's membership in the European Union. Some political analysts are speculating that this could pave the way for a reversal of Brexit by the British government.
