British lawmakers overwhelmingly back Brexit delay

British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union until at least June.

Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a motion setting out the option to ask the EU for a short delay if parliament can agree on a Brexit deal by March 20– or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time.

The vote means the UK may not leave on March 29 as previously planned. Lawmakers also rejected a call for asecond referendum. Only 85 MPs voted in favor of a second referendum and 334 voted against.

The short delay granted by the motion could last until June 30, if MPs back Theresa May's Brexit deal in a vote next week. But May has warned that if MPs can't agree upon a deal in the coming days, she would ask for an even longer extension.

A longer extension would require unanimous approval from the other 27 EU members, whose leaders meet in a summit next Thursday.

Speaker of the House John Bercow speaks in Parliament following the vote on extending Brexit negotiating period in London, March 14, 2019. /VCG Photo

Another vote

One day earlier, MPs voted against a no-deal Brexit after having twice rejected the deal struck by May with the other 27 EU nations– in January and on Tuesday.

May's spokesman said on Thursday that she would put that deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of talks with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it was worthwhile."

Before MPs voted to seek a delay of the March 29 deadline, European Council President Donald Tusk said that EU leaders meeting next Thursday will consider pressing Britain to delay Brexit by at least a year.

"I will appeal to the EU27 (remaining members) to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it," he said.

A number of leading EU figures have been calling for the bloc to refuse any extension beyond the May elections, or at the latest beyond July 2 when the new EU legislature convenes. Macron has voiced doubts about a longer extension, while Merkel has appeared more open to giving Britain time.

(Top image:Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May reacts during the debate on extending Brexit negotiating period in Parliament in London, March 14, 2019. /VCGPhoto)

(AFP & REUTERS)