Once more, the U. K. has arrived at a difficult fork in the road. Down one path is the withdrawal agreement Prime…
Once more, the U. K. has arrived at a difficult fork in the road.
Down one path is the withdrawal agreement Prime Minister Theresa May negotiated with the European Union, a deal meant to ease the jarring changes that could come with the U. K.’s departure from the international bloc on March 29. Down the other path is a rejection of that agreement — and the possible embrace of alternatives ranging from a no-deal Brexit to no Brexit at all.
British lawmakers will decide which course to take with a pivotal vote Tuesday. And May has made it clear that once it’s been determined, there might be no turning back.
“When the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House… and ask: ‘Did we deliver on the country’s vote to leave the European Union? Did we safeguard our economy, our security and our union? Or did we let the British people down?’ ” the prime minister told lawmakers Monday.
“I say we should deliver for the British people and get on with building a brighter future for our country by backing this deal.”
Five weeks after May postponed the originally scheduled vote in a desperate attempt to shore up support for her plan, it appears the proposed deal remains on very shaky ground, buffeted by criticism from her rivals and members of her own coalition.
“Will she admit that nothing has fundamentally changed? That’s the reality. Let’s not kid ourselves about that,” said Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, which is allied with May’s Conservatives.
The DUP, a small Northern Irish party the Conservatives rely on to preserve their governing coalition, particularly objects to the deal’s solution to the difficult issue of the Irish land border.
A roughly 20-year-old peace accord keeps the border open between the Republic of Ireland, which is an EU member, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.
