Britain's Prime Minister, Theresa May
British Prime Minister Theresa May said her draft Brexit deal delivered on the outcome of a 2016 vote to leave the European Union, and that her government would never hold a second public vote on the subject.
"We will not rerun the referendum, we will not renege on the decision of the British people," she said. "We will deliver Brexit and the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union on the 29th of March 2019."
As the government appeared to finalize a draft Brexit agreement, thousands have rallied in London for a second referendum on EU membership.The event late Tuesday at the Hall of Westminster near parliament was organized by the pro-EU movements the People’s Vote campaign and Best for Britain, and up to 3,000 people packed the rafters, according to event organizers.The rally emphasized the need for a people’s vote on the final deal between London and Brussels, including an option on the ballot to remain in the EU under the existing terms.Among the guest MP speakers were Jo Johnson and Dominic Grieve of the Conservative Party and David Lammy of the Labour Party.“It’s clear people are not buying it and don’t want this dodgy Brexit deal!” comedian Andy Parsons told the energetic crowd.Leading the crowd in chanting “We the people demand a people’s vote!” Parsons also said that young people from all over the country will lose the most from Brexit and so feel alienated from the political parties in parliament.The event also featured an unexpected special guest, former footballer Gary Lineker, who was met with loud cheers and a standing ovation when he walked onto the stage.“I think it’s fair to say that back then we didn’t really know what it would entail, the ramifications of leaving the European Union,” Lineker said of the 2016 EU referendum, adding: “It’s becoming clear that there are very few positives. It’s almost unanimous that people think it will have some sort of debilitating effect on our economy, at the very least.”Jo Johnson, the Conservative MP who resigned from government last week, also encouraged a people’s vote, arguing that Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal was not what the people voted for and that agreeing to such a deal would endanger U.K. democracy.Johnson, the brother of ex-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, argued that it is becoming increasingly clear “we weren’t going to get a deal in the national interest” to leave the EU, blasting the false “fantastical promises” that convinced many that Britain should leave.Also speaking at the event was Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general and pro-EU Conservative MP, who said: “We should keep open the possibility that people may change their minds about the decision they made.”Grieve had pushed, unsuccessfully, to give parliament more of a say over the process.There have been growing calls for a people’s vote, or second referendum, on the final withdrawal that has yet to be agreed on between the U.K. and the EU, as well as parliament itself. May has repeatedly said that there will be no second referendum.May on Wednesday called a special Cabinet meeting after having reportedly finalized a Brexit withdrawal agreement with Brussels.
London rally urges second vote on Brexit
The European Commission and its Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier could make a statement on negotiations with Britain as early as Wednesday, the EU executive's chief spokesman said.Margaritis Schinas declined, however, to confirm to reporters that, as the British government and EU officials have said, a draft treaty had been agreed by civil servants.Barnier's deputy Sabine Weyand would brief EU national envoys in Brussels, Schinas said, as Prime Minister Theresa May consults her cabinet from 1400 GMT on the deal in London.Barnier must declare that "decisive progress" has been made toward an agreement in order for European Council President Donald Tusk to call the 27 other national leaders to a summit that would give the EU's political endorsement to a treaty.EU diplomats expect that, if May secures the backing of her fractious cabinet and there is no major objection from the EU envoys, then Barnier decide as early as late Wednesday afternoon to recommend the summit is called. Many also expect such a summit to be scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 25.EU ministers would discuss the accord at a meeting in Brussels on Monday and advisers to the 27 national leaders, known as sherpas, would meet on Wednesday to prepare the summit.The biggest question mark over the deal -- unpublished details of which Reuters has reported here -- is whether, even if May's cabinet backs it, she can then get it through a parliament in which her minority government faces fierce criticism from both supporters and opponents of Brexit. UK PM May faces a fight to seal Brexit deal
EU Commission says could make Brexit statement soon
Prime Minister Theresa May faces one of the most the most dangerous moments of her premiership as she tries to convince senior ministers and parliament to accept a draft divorce deal agreed with the European Union.Here is reaction:JEREMY CORBYN, LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY"We will look at the details of what has been agreed when they are available. But from what we know of the shambolic handling of these negotiations, this is unlikely to be a good deal for the country."Labour has been clear from the beginning that we need a deal to support jobs and the economy - and that guarantees standards and protections. If this deal doesn't meet our six tests and work for the whole country, then we will vote against it."BORIS JOHNSON, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER"It is vassal state stuff. For the first time in a thousand years this place, this parliament will not have a say over the laws that govern this country. It is a quite incredible state of affairs. It means having to accept rules and regulations over which we have no say ourselves. It is utterly unacceptable to anyone who believes in democracy."For the first time since partition, Dublin under these proposals will have more say in some aspects of the government of Northern Ireland than London. So I don't see how you can support it."SAMMY WILSON, DUP'S BREXIT SPOKESMAN"All of the great and the good who were rolled out during the #EURef (EU referendum) will be rolled out again in the coming weeks to try and get us to fall into line. We are clear - we will not be voting for this humiliation!"JACOB REES-MOGG, LEADER OF HARD-BREXIT FACTION OF CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS"This is the vassal state. It is a failure of the government's negotiating position, it is a failure to deliver on Brexit, and it is potentially dividing up the United Kingdom. It is very hard to see any reason why the cabinet should support Northern Ireland being ruled from Dublin.""I hope the cabinet will block it and if not I hope parliament will block it. I think what we know of this deal is deeply unsatisfactory."JULIAN SMITH, PM MAY'S CHIEF WHIP"I'm confident we'll get this through parliament and that we can deliver on what the Prime Minister committed to on delivering Brexit, but making sure that that is in the best interests of companies, businesses and families."It's a major document, hundreds of pages, and people will be looking at that carefully but I'm confident that... we're hopefully on the cusp of beginning to get to the point where we're delivering on Brexit in a really practical way."IAIN DUNCAN SMITH, FORMER CONSERVATIVE LEADERAsked if the government's days were numbered, he referred to reports of the deal and said: "If this is the case, the answer is almost certainly, yes, because they're in real trouble if they bring back something unacceptable to their party."NICOLA STURGEON, SCOTLAND'S FIRST MINISTER"If the PM's 'deal' satisfies no-one and can't command a majority, we mustn't fall for her spin that the UK crashing out of EU without a deal is then inevitable - instead we should take the opportunity to get better options back on the table.""(May's) approach would take Scotland out of the single market - despite our 62 percent remain vote - but leave us competing for investment with Northern Ireland that is effectively still in it." (Reporting By Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton and Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison)
UK PM May faces a fight to seal Brexit deal