British Prime Minister Theresa May pulled tomorrow’s Brexit vote in the House of Commons knowing it was doomed to fail, yet having no fall back position because the European Union rejected any attempt to renegotiate the 585-page Nov. 25 divorce settlement. May finds herself unable to convince British lawmakers to back the plan that offers little assurance about passport-free travel to Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic. Wanting a “backstop” arrangement to protect passport-free travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic, there’s guarantee that after the March 29 Brexit date, that the European Union’s Schengen agreement could apply after the deadline. Trying to reassure the Parliament, May’s lost her ability to persuade anyone to accept what looks like a bad deal for the U.K, costing $39 billion to bring about the completed divorce settlement.
Instead of getting a better deal with the EU, May got a resounding no to renegotiating more than the final Nov. 25 agreement. “Does this house want to deliver Brexit?” May asked, questioning whether even her own Tory Party accepted the final breakup with the EU. “If the House does, does it want to do so through reaching an agreement with the EU? If the answer I yes—and I believe that is the answer of the majority of this house—then we all have to ask ourselves whether we are prepared to make a compromise,” asked May, hoping to sell MPs on the long-awaited vote. Yet knowing the vote would be a resounding “NO,” May chose instead to postpone the vote rather than face the music. Whether May admits it or not, she’s a heartbeat away from a no confidence vote, something that could happen any day. May can’t fathom the fact that her days are numbered..
Without written guarantees from the EU on Northern Ireland and, more importantly, the portability of jobs and finances between the EU and U.K, members of parliament simply won’t vote for her plan. May’s resisted redoing the Brexit referendum that passed June 23, 2016 52% to 48%. At the time of the vote, terrorism was sweeping across the Europe, spilling onto British soil. Pro-Brexit politicians like Nigel Farage ranted against EU demands for more Mideast immigration into the U.K. With Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic telling the EU recently that they won’t accept Middle East refugees, the pressure’s off the U.K. on the major impetus behind the original Brexit referendum. If the referendum were repeated today, it looks like pro-Brexit backers would lose the vote. Voters have had too much time to evaluate the negative consequences to Brexit.
May’s leadership vacuum calls into question whether or not she can survive a no-confidence call. Whether Labor Party or Tory, May no longer has the backing from either side of the aisle. Instead of kicking the can any further, MPs should hold a no confidence vote and send May packing. “Because there will be no enduring and successful Brexit without some compromise on both sides of the debate,” May said, encouraging the House of Commons to get off the fence. But what’s abundantly clear is the reluctance to follow May’s Brexit plan goes to the heart of her failed leadership, demanding a no confidence vote. Instead of holding the vote tomorrow and suffering the consequences, May decided to play games by delaying the vote, hoping things would change. EU officials left no doubt that May would not get any more concessions from on Brexit from the EU.
Making the rounds at The Hague, Berlin and Brussels Tuesday, May hoped MPs see her strong leadership, agreeing to back her Brexit deal. “No way to change anything,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told May, not sitting well with the House of Commons. “If they [British] want us to put some soothing ointment on the treaty, we’ll put ointment on it, but we won’t change it,” said Philippe Lamberts, a Green Party MP after meeting with EU negotiator Michel Barnier. “We won’t change anything of a legally binding nature,” said Lamberts, signaling to the House of Commons to take the deal or not. European Peoples Party leader Manfred Weber told May to take it or leave it. “We lost already enough time discussing Brexit,” said Weber. “We do not play this game, especially on the Irish backstop,” putting May and the House of Commons on notice that there’s no more bargaining.
House of Commons reluctance to accept May’s Brexit deal has more to do with a loss of confidence with her leadership. Instead of watching May make a fool out of herself pleading with the EU, the British parliament should call immediately for a no confidence vote. If the British government’s turned over, as may expect, to Labor Party’s Jeremy Corbyn, it would spell the end of Brexit, with-or-without of a new referendum. Corbyn’s committed to keeping the U.K. in the EU, believing it’s the best economic arrangement to advance the U.K.’s agenda. Instead of letting May play out her no confidence on the European continent, she should return to parliament and ask for a no confidence vote. Conditions in the U.K. have changed since voters approved the 2016 Brexit vote. British voters realize after over two years of debate that they made a mistake trying to severe ties with the EU.
