It was expected that the current proposal for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union would face a crucial vote before members of Parliament on Tuesday. Instead, amid faltering odds of success that became apparent during three days of debate, Prime Minister Theresa May has, at least temporarily, withdrawn her much-maligned plan from voting consideration.
“I have listened very carefully to what has been said, in this chamber and out of it, by members from all sides,” May said during her speech before MPs. “From listening to those views it is clear that while there is broad support for many of the key aspects of the deal, on one issue—the Northern Ireland backstop—there remains widespread and deep concern. As a result, if we went ahead and held the vote tomorrow the deal would be rejected by a significant margin. We will therefore defer the vote scheduled for tomorrow and not proceed to divide the [House of Commons] at this time.”
