Brexit chaos continued this week as the British parliament voted overwhelmingly for an extension to Article 50, the mechanism that triggers the divorce from the European Union.
Thursday’s vote was triggered following an overwhelming rejection of Prime Minister, the Right Hon Theresa May MP’s, Brexit deal for the second time on Tuesday. Although the deal avoided a hard border with Northern Ireland, members of Parliament decidedly voted that they could not support it.
Former Brexit negotiator, Mr David Davis, criticised the plan, saying that it was ‘almost worse than being in the EU’.
A subsequent vote to seize control of Brexit from the Prime Minister was defeated by just two votes.
European Union President, His Excellency Donald Tusk, stated that ‘during my consultations ahead of [European Union Council], I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it’.
If the delay is granted, it is uncertain what the next steps will be for the UK.
Prime Minister May will now take her plan for an extension on the Brexit date to the European Union: the proposal will require unanimous agreement from all members of the Union.
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