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A8 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 13 June 2018

UK government wins Brexit skirmish by making concessions

By JILL LAWLESS with what it sees as a lack
LONDON (AP) — The British of firm proposals from the
government was rocked U.K about future relations.
by a resignation and faced A paper laying out the U.K.
anger in Parliament over government position, due
its Brexit plans Tuesday, to be published this month,
but staved off defeat by has been delayed because
offering concessions to the Cabinet cannot agree
lawmakers who want to on a united stance.
soften the terms of the U.K.'s May's government is
exit from the European divided between Brexit-
Union. backing ministers such as
By a vote of 324 to 298, Foreign Secretary Boris
the House of Commons Johnson who support a
rejected a move to give clean break with the EU,
lawmakers power to send and those such as Treasury
the government back to chief Philip Hammond
the negotiating table if who want to keep closely
they don't like the terms of aligned to the bloc, Britain's
the Brexit deal struck with biggest trading partner.
the EU. Parliamentary debates
The result left Prime Minister about complex legal
Theresa May to fight amendments rarely rouse
another day as she tries to much heat, but passions
take Britain out of the bloc In this Thursday, May 17, 2018 file photo, British Prime Minister Theresa May looks on during a news run high over anything to
while retaining support conference with her Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev, Macedonia. do with Brexit.
from pro-EU and pro-Brexit Associated Press Pro-Brexit tabloid the
wings of her Conservative Sun warned lawmakers
Party. Britain's negotiating position the government. will have to be formalized on Tuesday's front page
But it came at a cost — a and is seeking to reverse The pro-EU faction got a next week in a new that they had a choice:
government promise to them in the Commons. boost when junior justice amendment to the bill. The "Great Britain or great
strengthen Parliament's Brexit Secretary David minister Phillip Lee resigned Brexit Department said in a betrayal." The Daily Express
voice, potentially at the Davis urged lawmakers to Tuesday, saying he could statement that it would look thundered: "Ignore the will
expense of its own power "respect the result of the no longer support the for compromise, but would of the people at your peril."
to set the terms of any final referendum" that approved government's "irresponsible" not agree to lawmakers Anna Soubry, a pro-EU
divorce deal with the EU. the withdrawal. He said plans for Brexit. "binding the government's Conservative lawmaker,
The vote came on the first giving Parliament power In a concession, the hands" in negotiations. said she knew of one
of two days of high-stakes to direct the government's government promised that But pro-EU Conservative legislator who would not
debate and votes in the hand in talks would be lawmakers would have lawmaker Dominic vote with their conscience
House of Commons on "an unconstitutional shift a say on what to do next Grieve said that with the because of "threats to their
the government's flagship which risks undermining if there is no agreement government's move "I am personal safety" and that of
Brexit bill. our negotiations with the with the EU, or if Parliament quite satisfied that we are staff and family.
The European Union European Union." rejects the deal offered. going to get a meaningful Pro-Brexit Conservative
Withdrawal Bill, a complex "It's not practical, it's not The change reduces the vote on both 'deal' and 'no lawmaker Edward
piece of legislation desirable and it's not likelihood that Britain could deal'" scenarios. Leigh slammed pro-
intended to disentangle appropriate," Davis said. leave the EU without a deal Another flashpoint could EU colleagues, saying
Britain from four decades The government won the if it does not like the divorce come when lawmakers Parliament must respect
of EU rules and regulations, first set of votes Tuesday, but terms. Pro-Brexit members vote Wednesday on an the result of the June 2016
has had a rocky ride looked set to face defeat of the government want amendment seeking to voter referendum.
through Parliament. The on the issue of whether to be able to play the "no keep Britain in a customs "The people want us to
upper chamber, the Parliament should have a deal" card, but the House union with the EU. leave the EU. They want
House of Lords, inserted "meaningful vote" on the of Commons, where pro-EU Two years after Britain us to regain control of our
amendments in 15 areas to Brexit deal. Several pro-EU voices are stronger, would voted to leave the EU, and borders," he said.
soften the departure. Conservative lawmakers almost certainly reject eight months before it's "Parliament, don't stand
The government says the said they would join the the idea. Details of the due to leave on March 29, against the people —
changes would weaken opposition in voting against government's commitment 2019, the bloc is frustrated implement their will!"q