Theresa May Now Open to No-Deal Brexit If Parliament Rejects Her Current Deal  

Embattled British Prime minister Theresa May is now reportedly open to exercising the option of the so-called ‘no deal’ Brexit if Parliament continues to reject the deal she has negotiated with Brussels, Financial Times reported.

Under the ‘no-deal’ Brexit, UK will leave the European Union without striking a formal agreement with the European Union (EU).

May on Wednesday (20 March) had formally requested to the EU to extend the Brexit deadline from 29 March to 30 June. May was forced into it after the British parliament twice rejected the deal she negotiated with EU leaders.

The EU convened in Brussels yesterday (22 March) to discuss May’s request for a deadline-extension. The EU leaders demanded May either clinch the proposed withdrawal deal next week or “indicate a way forward” by 12 April.

The EU’s response fell short of meeting May’s request to push back the Brexit date from 29 March to 30 June.

The FT report quoted May as saying that “What the decision today underlines is the importance of the House of Commons passing a Brexit deal next week so that we can bring an end to the uncertainty and leave in a smooth and orderly manner”.

May on Wednesday (20 March) said it was a “matter of great personal regret” that she was forced to ask European Council president Donald Tusk to delay Britain’s departure, but placed blame for the delay squarely on the Parliament.

“Of this, I am absolutely sure: You the public have had enough. You are tired of the infighting, you’re tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows, tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children’s schools, our National Health Service, knife crime,” she said.

“You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide”, she added.