Confidence Granted

Whilst some were already thinking of a replacement for May as Conservative leader, May was busy gaining MP’s confidence and eventually winning the confidence vote, 200 to 117. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has successfully survived a vote of no-confidence triggered by members of her own party over her decision-making in the Brexit deal. This vote has bought May sometime, preventing her from being challenged again by her own party anytime in the next 12 months. However, May did not ignore those that voted against her, “A significant number of colleagues did cast a vote against me and I have listened to what they said,” May said.

That must start here in Westminster, with politicians on all sides coming together and acting in the national interest. For my part I've heard what the House of Commons said about the Northern Ireland backstop, and when I go to the European Council tomorrow, I will be seeking legal and political assurances that will assuage the concerns that Members of Parliament have on that issue. But while delivering Brexit is important, we also need to focus on the other issues that people feel are vital to them, that matter to them day to day, the issues that we came into politics to deal with: building a stronger economy, delivering first class public services, building the homes that families need. We owe it to the people who put us here to put their priorities first. So here is our renewed mission -- delivering the Brexit that people voted for, bringing the country back together and building a country that truly works for everyone.

Yet delivering the Brexit that people voted for is also in the hands of the European Union, who at the moment will not offer May a better deal. May is now off to achieve the seemingly impossible, securing concessions from EU leaders to change the withdrawal agreement. Returning to the UK without a renegotiated deal would mean that May has managed to keep her party only to lose control of the Commons and the government. May together with her diplomats have been running in circles trying to amend the agreement, to no avail. With her leadership secured, May may wait until the 11^th hour before presenting the agreement in parliament for a vote, hoping that MP’s will support it due to the stake being so high.

EU leaders in Brussels have insisted that they will not amend the deal that 100 Tory MP’s want her to ditch. The European Council president, Donald Tusk, spoke out of respect for May, but was unable to give the prime minister what she had gone to Brussels asking for.

I have no mandate to organise any further negotiations. We have to exclude any kind of reopening our negotiations on the withdrawal agreement. But of course we will stay here in Brussels, and I am always at Prime Minister Theresa May’s disposal. We have treated Prime Minister May with the greatest respect, all of us, and we really appreciate the efforts by the prime minister to ratify our common agreement. My impression is that in fact we have treated prime minister May with a much greater empathy and respect than some MPs, for sure.

May is still hoping to obtain “further clarification” from Europe as to why they are not willing to amend the deal after she was being “crystal clear” as to the assurances she is seeking. The Irish prime minister said the EU was prepared to offer explanations and assurances over the Brexit deal, but “there are limitations”, he said. Thus, leaving the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

Three defeats in a day

The start of the five-day debate on the PM's deal was delayed by several hours after a motion was issued, finding the parliament in contempt due to failure to publish the full and complete legal advice on the Brexit deal. The move was backed by six opposition parties, with 311 votes to 293. The motion was a result of the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, only publishing a summary of the advice last Monday, although he did answer to three hours of MPs questions. This defeat was labelled as a "badge of shame" for the government, proving "it has lost the majority and the respect of the house", said the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer.

Cabinet ministers warn Theresa May of a forced resignation if she fails to secure better terms from the EU. The Commons defeating May's Brexit deal next week would prove fatal to her leadership career. As ministers continue to lack belief in May's deal and more

Brexiters announce their willingness to resign on Tuesday unless major changes are made to the deal, an alternative plan is introduced by Work and Pensions secretary Amber Rudd. Although Rudd has always been in support of May's Brexit plan, a softer Norway-style Brexit “seems plausible not just in terms of the country but in terms of where the MPs are", she said.

I would urge my colleagues to think about, first of all, why people voted to leave the European Union, what their interpretation is of that; and, secondly, what the alternatives are. If it doesn't get through, anything could happen... and none of them are as good as the current arrangement.

 After 18 months of negotiations, a vote is scheduled for December 11 on the long Withdrawal Agreement. While some ministers are demanding to know what May will be doing to salvage the vote, and others proclaim it a "democratic disaster", the loyal ministers are touring the country, putting pressure on backbenchers to start supporting the deal, as per May's orders. 

We have delivered a deal that honours the vote of the British people. I’ve been speaking to factory workers in Scotland, farmers in Wales and people right across the country, answering their questions about the deal and our future. Overwhelmingly, the message I’ve heard is that people want us to get on with it. And that’s why it’s important that ministers are out speaking with communities across the UK today about how the deal works for them.

The British once more stand in the crosshairs of this deal, patiently depending on the ministers to make the right choice once the legal advice is published. Meanwhile, May is expected to meet, convince and convert colleagues ahead of next Tuesday's vote.

Another Referendum?

The list continues to grow as more ministers resign over Theresa May’s Brexit agreement. The tenth to be added to the list is Science and universities minister, Sam Gyimah, his reason being May’s decision to pull the UK from Galileo, Europe’s version of GPS which is yet underway.

Although Brexit Date is set in stone for 29 March 2019 11pm UK time, the future of the UK is yet unknown as more supporters back away from May’s decision making. May is currently risking a no deal Brexit or no Brexit at all, as those who were once allies opt to Remain.

The latest minister to resign, Sam Gyimah urged May to consider holding another referendum if she loses the 11 December vote. Meanwhile, Gyimah has vowed to “vote against the Government’s EU Withdrawal Agreement".

It has become increasingly clear to me that the proposed deal is not in the British national interest, and that to vote for this deal is to set ourselves up for failure. We will be losing, not taking control of our national destiny.

Yet, May is against setting another referendum as opposed to the 52 MPs in favour. UK Prime Minister Theresa May can only hope that the deal will be backed by the MPs in her own parliament, after having it signed off by all leaders of the other 27 EU countries. The deal also requires approval from the European Parliament, consisting of 751 members, with voting on the deal scheduled for early next year.

A no deal Brexit or the British Parliament rejecting the deal leads to uncertainty as to whether the UK will actually leave the EU, and if so, when. The date could be extended if approved by all 28 EU members. A no deal Brexit would mean that the UK failed to agree on a withdrawal agreement, meaning that there would be no transition period and EU laws would simply stop applying to the UK as of the 29th March. MPs are not in unison on what a no deal would signify -  A ‘national disaster’ or otherwise a ‘clean break’.

Introduction

Whilst Americans are united and giving thanks, the Brits are divided over the faith of their country.
Welcome to my first official blog post. I'm a Media and Communications student at the University of Malta, and this blog is actually an assignment. Although politics always interested me, I was never as intrigued as to start a blog. However, the future of the country I frequent the most due to family members residing there is something that attracts my undivided attention. Thus, from here on, every week, I will be posting the latest updates on the divorce of the UK from the EU, a good 28 months since it all began.
As to my take on the matter - IN.