Theresa May Exit Over Brexit; MPs Unhappy With Deal That ‘Cedes Too Much British Sovereignty’ To EU 

The Brexit issue is proving to be a test of mettle for Prime Minister Theresa May, with many of her team members unhappy with the deal she is trying to broker. Here are some highlights:

• After protracted negotiations, May announced this week that she has clinched a deal with the European Union over Britain’s withdrawal from the EU bloc. But following the announcement, two ministers immediately quit her cabinet, triggering a widespread rebellion and jeopardising the prospects of a Brexit agreement.
• Dominic Raab, May's chief negotiator on withdrawal from the European Union, and Work and Pensions Secretary, Esther McVey, resigned saying that the deal worked out by May was “unacceptable” to them.
  
• May is now battling to stave off a leadership challenge after several pro-Brexit Conservative backbenchers, angry over the deal which they think is a “sellout” of British sovereignty, called for her ouster. The likelihood of more MPs joining the rank of the rebels looks a clear possibility. A No-Confidence Vote can be called for if 48 Conservative Party lawmakers submit letters in support of such a move.
  
• May’s draft plan envisages keeping the UK in a European customs union indefinitely, and has come under severe criticism from the pro-Brexit camp for ceding too much sovereignty.
  
• May claims that her deal will bring back control of money, laws and borders back to the UK, end free movement within EU, protect jobs and improve security. However, those opposed to May’s deal contend that it fails to "regain control" from Brussels.
  
• UK’s commitment to pay £10.8bn to EU until the end of the "transition period and that EU citizens will be free to live and work in the UK and vice-versa among other clauses in the deal have left the pro-Brexit MPs seething
  
• UK and EU have, until 29 March, to ratify an agreement by both parliaments, after which the UK’s membership in the EU will expire, deal or no deal.
  
• European leaders have reiterated that broad contours of the Brexit deal struck with Theresa May is non-negotiable and ruled out any redrafting of the agreement.