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Theresa May says next vote on Brexit bill will be 'bold new offer' to MPs

Theresa May is pledging a 'new, bold offer' to British MPs in a bid to get them to support her Br...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

09.51 19 May 2019


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Theresa May says next vote on...

Theresa May says next vote on Brexit bill will be 'bold new offer' to MPs

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

09.51 19 May 2019


Share this article


Theresa May is pledging a 'new, bold offer' to British MPs in a bid to get them to support her Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Mrs May's government is set to bring the deal back to the House of Commons early next month, after it was rejected three times earlier this year.

Talks between the government and Labour collapsed on Friday, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn saying negotiations to find a compromise had gone 'as far as they can'.

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Writing in the Sunday Times, the British prime minister said the next vote - due to take place in the week beginning June 3rd - will "truly be decision time for MPs".

Mrs May said Labour and the Conservatives had found common ground on several issues - but key differences remained, particularly over calls for a second Brexit referendum.

She said: "While many Labour MPs genuinely do want to deliver Brexit, a large number of others are wedded to holding a second referendum with the aim of reversing the decision of the first.

"That is not a course I have ever supported."

"Improved package of measures"

Mrs May argued that her government now has a "much clearer understanding" of what they believe will get the deal over the line.

She claimed: "When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support.

"I will not be simply asking MPs to think again. Instead I will ask them to look at a new and improved deal with fresh pairs of eyes — and to give it their support."

The Northern Ireland backstop to avoid a hard border in Ireland has been one of the major objections for many MPs.

It's not yet clear how any new offer would address that issue.

However, any changes would have to be approved by the EU - and the bloc has repeatedly ruled out any substantial changes to the backstop.

Main image: British Prime Minister Theresa May. Picture by: Toby Melville/PA Wire/PA Images

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