Brexit Date Could be Pushed Back by a 'Couple of Extra Weeks', Says UK Lawmaker
Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29 but after lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's negotiated deal, it remains unclear how the country will leave the EU, opening up the possibility of a no-deal exit.
Representational picture. (Reuters)
London: The date Britain leaves the EU could be pushed back by a couple of weeks to give time for legislation to be approved by lawmakers, the leader of Britain's lower house of parliament said, the most senior figure to make such a suggestion.
Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29 but after lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's negotiated deal, it remains unclear how the country will leave the EU, opening up the possibility of a no-deal exit.
Parliament will vote on a series of amendments on Tuesday as the clock ticks down on Britain's departure date.
"We can get the legislation through and I think we do, in spite of everything, have a very strong relationship with our EU friends and neighbours and I am absolutely certain that if we needed a couple of extra weeks or something then that would be feasible," Andrea Leadsom told the BBC.
Responding to the idea that this would mean extending the two-year Article 50 negotiation period, Leadsom told the BBC:
"It doesn't necessarily mean that. I think we would want to think carefully about it. But as things stand I do feel that we can get, with the support of both Houses - the House of Commons and the House of Lords - with goodwill and a determination we can still get the legislation through in good time."
A spokeswoman at May's No. 10 Downing Street office said the government's position had not changed.
"We are not considering an extension to article 50 and are committed to doing whatever it takes to have the statute books ready for when we leave the EU on March 29th this year."
The uncertainty has prompted several businesses to warn of the threat to jobs and investment if Britain were to crash out of the EU, potentially disrupting food and medicine supplies, manufacturers and transportation.
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Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29 but after lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's negotiated deal, it remains unclear how the country will leave the EU, opening up the possibility of a no-deal exit.
Parliament will vote on a series of amendments on Tuesday as the clock ticks down on Britain's departure date.
"We can get the legislation through and I think we do, in spite of everything, have a very strong relationship with our EU friends and neighbours and I am absolutely certain that if we needed a couple of extra weeks or something then that would be feasible," Andrea Leadsom told the BBC.
Responding to the idea that this would mean extending the two-year Article 50 negotiation period, Leadsom told the BBC:
"It doesn't necessarily mean that. I think we would want to think carefully about it. But as things stand I do feel that we can get, with the support of both Houses - the House of Commons and the House of Lords - with goodwill and a determination we can still get the legislation through in good time."
A spokeswoman at May's No. 10 Downing Street office said the government's position had not changed.
"We are not considering an extension to article 50 and are committed to doing whatever it takes to have the statute books ready for when we leave the EU on March 29th this year."
The uncertainty has prompted several businesses to warn of the threat to jobs and investment if Britain were to crash out of the EU, potentially disrupting food and medicine supplies, manufacturers and transportation.
Catch the Biggest Newsmakers and the Biggest Newsbreaks on CNN-News18, your favourite English TV news channel. Keep watching CNN-News18 at just 50 Paise per Month. Contact your cable /DTH operator Now!
*Rental / capacity fee of Rs.130/- as charged by cable / DTH operator may apply. **GST extra.