UK Parliament Rejects Brexit Deal for Third Time

Lawmakers rejected United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May’s European Union withdrawal deal for a third time, causing uncertainty about the future of Brexit. The deal was struck down 344-286 in a March 29 vote, on the same day the U.K. was originally scheduled to leave the EU. May had sent a letter to EU Council President Donald Tusk in March requesting a Brexit delay until July 30, but Tusk said the EU would grant a delay only if the U.K. Parliament adopted May’s withdrawal agreement when it voted for a third time (see 1903200068).

After another rejection, uncertainty looms over the U.K.’s potential exit. Britain may either leave the EU on April 12 without a deal, according to the European Commission, or May can again ask EU officials for a delay to get a deal done. “I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House,” May said after the vote, according to Reuters. “The implications of the House’s decision are grave.” May added that any further delays to Brexit would postpone an exit significantly longer than the current deadline, Reuters said.

According to a BBC report, May said the U.K. will now have to find “an alternative way forward” that is “almost certain” to involve holding elections for the European Parliament, indicating she’d seek an extension beyond May 23, when those elections are set to begin. Meanwhile, the U.K. Parliament will hold a second set of non-binding votes April 1 to recommend a path forward, after their first attempt -- which included votes on holding another referendum, remaining in a customs union with the EU, and leaving the EU with no deal -- did not garner a majority on any of the proposals.

In a statement, the EC said it “regrets the negative vote in the House of Commons,” calling the no-deal “a likely scenario” on April 12. “It will be for the UK to indicate the way forward before that date, for consideration by the European Council,” the statement said. Tusk will call a European Council meeting on April 10 “in view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement,” he said on Twitter.

May had offered on March 27 to resign if the deal passed, according to multiple reports, thereby offering an incentive to opposing politicians in a final effort to resolve an issue that has defined much of her time in office. A spokesperson for May told Reuters the prime minister will continue talks with lawmakers and could bring the deal back for a fourth vote, “perhaps in a ‘run-off’ against any alternative that parliament itself came up with.”

In a statement, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it is “troubled by the considerable uncertainty” resulting from the rejected deal, calling a potential no-deal scenario “chaotic.” “We urge [members of Parliament] to find consensus immediately on a way forward that avoids what surely would be a disastrous development for consumers, workers and businesses alike,” said Marjorie Chorlins, executive director of the Chamber's U.S.-U.K. Business Council.