British House of Commons Approves Motion Preventing No-Deal Brexit
March 15, 2019
The British House of Commons has passed a resolution barring the government from taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union without a deal passed by Parliament. This vote comes less than a month before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29.
The vote, occurred days after the Commons once again overwhelmingly rejected the exit deal negotiated by the prime minister with a margin of 144. May, who recently narrowly survived a vote of no confidence organized by the opposition, has announced she intends to bring the exit deal back to the Commons for a third time next week.
“Everyone wanted a perfect deal for their parts. In this world, perfection will never be achieved. Everyone’s idea of compromise seems to be, ‘you compromise and agree with me, or no deal’,” Spanish teacher Peter Hult said.
The path the government will take after the resolution was passed preventing a no deal Brexit is unclear. While May is bringing the deal to the floor for a third time, it is unlikely to gain a majority support and will once again fail. Some MPs, including Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope have stated they will consider a no confidence vote.
“I think the fact that things change over time and that different groups, [and] countries are challenging the direction of the EU is a good thing. I think the model can work, and also should be improved,” special education teacher Dan Staples said.
The government may also attempt to convince the European Union to return to the negotiating table despite comments by European Union leaders and leaders of countries in the European Union that they will not return to the table. Another possibility being considered by the Commons is a revocation of Article 50, which would end Brexit.
“The British will look back on Brexit as an unmitigated disaster. Their economy will suffer, their status will suffer, and they will realize they voted on Brexit not really understanding the long term implication, which will not be good implications,” Hult said.
On Thursday, the Commons debated and rejected another resolution that would organize a second referendum on the British exit from the European Union. The labour party which announced they would support the second referendum in February stated that they would reject the amendment early on Thursday, although some labour MPs may dissent.