(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal has been rejected by the House of Commons - the largest defeat for a sitting government in history. The result has created more difficulties for Britain’s departure from the EU.
UK government’s historic defeat
MPs voted by 432 votes to 202 to reject the deal, as time is running out before Britain's planned exit from the EU on 29 March. The difference, 230 votes, was beyond forecast of many politicians.
The result was the largest defeat for a sitting government in history showing the increasing split in the UK political arena over Brexit. It was also a measurement of British MPs’ reaction to the draft Brexit deal. Notably, more than 100 MPs of PM May’s Conservative Party including those who support and don’t support Brexit vote down the deal, mainly articles concerning Northern Ireland’s border. The defeat shows that Mrs. May failed to gain support within the Conservative. Many politicians say the result was just the climax of political chaos in the UK since the Brexit referendum was held two years ago.
Confused Europe
The progress of Brexit caused controversy in Europe. On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said with the clock ticking ahead of Britain’s scheduled exit from the EU, the “time for playing games” was over.
France's Minister for Europe Nathalie Loiseau said on Wednesday the Brexit deadline could be pushed back if the UK requests it. "Legally, technically, it's possible," Loiseau told France Inter radio adding that the British need to ask for it and there needs to be a unanimous agreement among the 27 other members of the European Union. She dismissed the idea of the deal being renegotiated. But EU negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU is ready to negotiate another deal with the UK if London changes its core demands.
May insists to continue her mission
Despite failing to get the House of Commons’ approval of the draft Brexit deal, Prime Minister May affirmed that she will make it her mission to carry out the wishes of voters who backed the Brexit referendum in June 2016 when she became premier the following month. After surviving a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, Ms May invited leaders of all parties to have individual meetings with her on the way ahead for Brexit with offers made to the Westminster leaders of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru. May said that from Friday, she will hold meetings with Eurosceptics conservatives to discuss proposals for Brexit.
EU officials are examining plans to delay Brexit until 2020. Previous planning had centered on a three-month delay to Brexit from March 29 until the end of June.