Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 4 april 2019

UK legislates to avert chaotic Brexit as May seeks new plan

erendum that could keep
Britain in the bloc. They will
be angry if the party ac-
tively helps bring about the
U.K.’s departure.
Meanwhile, May’s move
infuriated pro-Brexit Con-
servatives who say Britain
must make a clean break
with the EU in order to take
control of its laws and trade
policy.
Former Foreign Secretary
Boris Johnson said Brexit “is
becoming soft to the point
of disintegration.”
Junior Wales Minister Nigel
Adams quit his post, criticiz-
ing May for seeking a deal
with “a Marxist who has
never once in his political
life out British interests first”
— a reference to the left-
wing Corbyn.
He was followed by junior
Brexit minister Chris Hea-
ton-Harris, who said in his
In this grab taken from video, Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, resignation letter that the
London, Wednesday April 3, 2019. government “should have
Associated Press honored the result of the
By JILL LAWLESS told lawmakers before own version of a Brexit di- that, even though Britain 2016 referendum” and left
RAF CASERT meeting with Corbyn for vorce deal — came amid and the EU both wanted the EU on March 29.
Associated Press about two hours. EU warnings that a dam- to avoid a no-deal Brexit, it Meanwhile, pro-EU law-
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Afterward, both the gov- aging withdrawal without remained the legal default makers were not bank-
Brexit drama went into ernment and Labour called a plan was growing more position, and the risk of Brit- ing on talks between May
overtime Wednesday as the meeting “constructive” likely by the day. ain accidentally crashing and Corbyn succeeding.
Prime Minister Theresa May and said their teams would After lawmakers three times out was “alarmingly high.” The House of Commons
and the country’s main hold more in-depth talks rejected an agreement Carney told Sky News that on Wednesday approved
opposition sought a com- Thursday. struck between the bloc claims by pro-Brexit politi- a bill to ensure May can’t
promise deal to prevent May’s office said both sides and May late last year, cians that such a situation go back on her promise to
an abrupt British departure had shown “flexibility and the leaders of the EU’s 27 could be managed were seek a delay to Brexit rather
from the European Union at a commitment to bring the remaining countries post- “absolute nonsense.” than let Britain tumble out
the end of next week. current Brexit uncertainty to poned the original March May’s pivot toward La- of the bloc.
In an about-face that left a close.” 29 Brexit date and gave bour points Britain toward The bill, debated and ap-
pro-Brexit members of Corbyn, more muted, said the U.K. until April 12 to ap- a softer Brexit than the one proved in a single day,
May’s Conservative Party “the meeting was useful prove the divorce deal or she has championed since compels May to seek to
howling with outrage, the but inconclusive.” come up with a new one. British voters decided in extend the Brexit process
prime minister sought to “There hasn’t been as So far the House of Com- June 2016 to leave the EU. beyond April 12 in order to
forge an agreement with much change as I expect- mons has failed to find a Labour wants the U.K. to prevent a no-deal depar-
left-wing Labour Party lead- ed,” he said. majority for any alternative remain in the EU’s customs ture. In a reflection of how
er Jeremy Corbyn after fail- May’s change of direction plan. union — a trading area divided lawmakers are
ing three times to win Par- left her caught between “A no deal on 12 April at that sets common tariffs on over Brexit, it passed by a
liament’s backing for her angry Conservatives who midnight looks more and imports to the bloc while al- single vote, 313-312.
Brexit deal. accuse her of throwing more likely,” European lowing free trade in goods The bill still needs approval
May also said she would ask away Brexit, and Labour Commission President moving between member from the House of Lords,
the EU for a further delay to opponents mistrustful of her Jean-Claude Juncker said states. Parliament’s unelected up-
Britain’s departure date — sudden change of heart. Wednesday, adding that May has always ruled that per chamber — likely on
postponed once already Labour lawmaker Paul would bring disruption for out, saying it would limit Thursday. And it does not
— to avert a chaotic and Sweeney said May’s out- EU citizens and businesses, Britain’s ability to forge an force the EU to agree to
economically damaging reach to his party “shows but much worse economic independent trade policy. delay Brexit.
no-deal Brexit on April 12. the desperation that she’s damage for Britain. May’s decision to negoti- EU leaders, weary of the
Skeptical lawmakers, reluc- in.” EU Economy Commissioner ate with Corbyn is risky for whole Brexit circus, gave a
tant to take her word for it, Pro-Brexit Conservatives, Pierre Moscovici said a “no- both the Conservatives cautious welcome to May’s
approved a hastily crafted meanwhile, expressed out- deal” Brexit would mean and Labour, and could attempt at rapproche-
law that compels May to rage. Two junior ministers long lines at borders and widen divisions over Brexit ment.
ask for an extension to the quit, and other lawmakers paperwork headaches that run through both par- German Chancellor An-
Brexit deadline if a no-deal angrily accused May of for customs checks on the ties. gela Merkel said she would
departure is looming. putting the socialist Corbyn 11,000 vehicles entering Labour is formally commit- work “until the last hour”
“The country needs a solu- in the Brexit driver’s seat. and leaving Britain each ted to enacting the vot- to secure an orderly Brexit,
tion, the country deserves Her cross-party talks — after day. ers’ decision to leave the but stressed that “these so-
a solution, and that’s what almost three years of seek- Bank of England Gover- EU, but many of the party’s lutions have to be reached
I’m working to find,” May ing to push through her nor Mark Carney warned lawmakers want a new ref- above all in Britain itself.”q