British ministers split over next Brexit steps if PM’s deal fails
LONDON (Reuters) – British ministers are divided over the government’s next steps if Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the European Union is not approved by parliament next month.
With just under 100 days until Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, deep divisions in parliament have raised the chances of leaving without a deal and increased calls for a second referendum to break the deadlock.
Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said late on Wednesday there would be a “plausible argument” for another referendum if parliament failed to reach a consensus on the way forward, something May has repeatedly ruled out.
House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said a so-called “people’s vote” would be unacceptable and a “managed” no deal would be an alternative.
Some ministers have indicated they would quit the government if the no deal option became official policy.
Earlier this week the government said it would implement plans for a no-deal Brexit in full and begin telling businesses and citizens to prepare.
With no clear majority in parliament for any way forward, several ministers have said they would support the idea of holding an “indicative vote” of lawmakers as to what Brexit option they would like to see pursued.
Rudd said parliament should reach a majority on how Britain leaves the EU, but if it could not then another referendum was an option.