Theresa May has defended her decision to accept a Brexit delay until October, dismissing calls to resign from within her own party and telling lawmakers that taking Britain out of the European Union with an agreement is their “national duty.”
After a six-month extension to the process was agreed at a late-night EU summit, the embattled British Prime Minister admitted to MPs that European leaders share “frustration” with the unending Brexit crisis that has paralyzed British politics.
But she continued to insist that Britain could still leave the European Union before the new deadline of October 31 – and avoid taking part in next month’s European elections – if a cross-party plan could command lawmakers’ support in the coming weeks.
“We need to resolve this,” May told the House of Commons in a statement, urging lawmakers to reflect as they leave Westminster for their Easter recess. “This is our national duty as elected members of this House – and nothing today is more pressing or more vital.”
She agreed with opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn that talks between the two camps are “serious, detailed and ongoing,” adding that “there is actually more agreement” between the often-warring sides on the issue of a post-Brexit plan than most observers realize.
The Prime Minister acknowledged, however, that if talks with Labour don’t result in an agreement, MPs, may need to decide on Brexit options. That would leave the door open for a second referendum.
“There are those in the House who may wish to press their case on this matter when the legislation is going through,” May said in response to a question about a second poll.
PM hit with resignation questions
Whether May will remain in office to see through any Brexit strategy is increasingly in question, and the Prime Minister was forced to respond to calls to resign from hardline Brexiteers on her own backbenches.
Asked by a veteran Conservative Brexiteer, Bill Cash, whether she would quit over what he called an “abject surrender” to Brussels, May said with a laugh: “I think you know the answer to that.”
And in response to a question of what May will do she faced a confidence motion in Parliament, she replied: “I will continue to argue for the Conservative Party remaining in government.”
Corbyn claimed that the Labour Party is focused on talks with the opposition side in his response to May’s statement.
But he acknowledged that May could be gone by the summer, adding that a potential deal would have to “entrench any agreement” to avoid it being torn up by a new, hardline Brexiteer Prime Minister.
May has previously said she will resign when her Brexit deal is passed by Parliament, but that pledge failed to get the bill over the line at the third attempt and the exact date of her departure remains unclear.
Lawmakers will break for their Easter recess later on Thursday, bringing Britain’s ongoing political chaos to a fleeting pause.