The plan proposed by Prime Minister Theresa May was rejected by a large majority in Parliament.

Parliament rejects Brexit agreement and uncertainty grows

UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 23:00 (GMT + 9)

Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for leaving the European Union (EU) received a strong rejection in parliament. With 432 votes against and 202 in favour, MPs rejected yesterday the "Brexit" deal signed between the EU and May Government.

First Minister Theresa May in the UK Parliament. (Photo: AFP)

The deal set out important topics , how the UK would leave the EU on 29 March, as well as what will happen to UK citizens living in the EU and how much money the UK will have to pay to leave.

The most controversial point was the so-called “backstop”, a kind of safety net designed to avoid physical border checks between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, which is a member of the EU. 

The leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn ► 

The leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, proposed a motion of censure, which will be voted on this afternoon, which lets MPs decide on whether they want the government to continue.

If Parliament is in favor of the government not continuing, this could trigger a general election.

Theresa May's government believe this would be hugely damaging, and propose a more gradual withdrawal. However, if nothing happens it will be a no-deal Brexit, which means the UK will leave on 29 March without a formal agreement, a no transition period and a sudden rupture in UK/EU relations.

This situation would also mean the UK would not have to obey EU rules. Instead, it would need to follow World Trade Organization (WTO) terms on trade. Many businesses would see new taxes on imports, exports and services, which are likely to increase their operating costs.

The UK would also lose the trade agreements it had with other countries as a member of the EU, all of which would need to be renegotiated alongside the new agreement with the EU itself. Also, manufacturers in the UK expect to face delays in components coming across the border.

The UK would be free to set its own immigration controls. However some UK professionals working in the EU and UK expats could face uncertainty until their status was clarified. The European Commission has said that even in a no-deal scenario, UK travellers won't need a visa for short visits of up to 90 days.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic would become an external frontier for the EU with customs and immigration controls, though how and where any checks would be made is not clear.

The UK government could also propose to negotiate a new deal, or there could also be another referendum, which would also likely mean asking for more time, or Mrs May could decide that a general election is the best way to end this situation.

European Council President Donald Tusk. GETTY IMAGES

For his part, European Council President Donald Tusk, thinks that the UK should stay in the EU.

"If a deal is impossible, and no-one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?", he said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned that time was running out for the UK to strike a deal.

"I urge the United Kingdom to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up," he said.

"The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening's vote," he added.

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