Possibility of Delaying Brexit Vote in the British Parliament

The manner of the UK's exit from the European Union as presented by Prime Minister Theresa May is set to be voted on in the British Parliament tomorrow, Tuesday, but some reports indicate a high likelihood of this vote being postponed. According to many British media outlets and the Associated Press, Theresa May is expected to announce this delay in her speech on Monday 'to prevent a hard defeat for her government.' May's government has not yet denied reports regarding such a delay. Theresa May's Conservative government does not have a majority in the House of Commons, and opposition parties say they will not support the Brexit deal as agreed upon by May's government and EU leaders last month. Pro-Brexit politicians in the UK argue that last month's deal keeps the UK too close and dependent on the EU. On the other hand, anti-Brexit politicians claim that the deal creates barriers between the UK and its largest trading partners and leaves many details of future relations with Europe unclear. The delay of the vote would complicate the UK's exit from the EU and raise scenarios such as a disorderly exit without agreement, a second Brexit referendum, or a rapid revision of the deal presented by Theresa May. The news of this potential delay caused the value of the British pound to fall on Monday, bringing the exchange rate to $1.2660 per pound, the lowest value of the pound in the last 18 months. If the vote on Tuesday is postponed, Theresa May will face pressure from parties to renegotiate the Brexit deal, which will require her to discuss this matter with EU leaders in the upcoming Thursday and Friday meetings. The EU has stated that it opposes any renegotiation of the deal, but some European officials have not ruled out the possibility of changing parts of the agreement. The news of the potential parliamentary vote delay came just hours after the European Court of Justice announced that, according to a new ruling, the UK can unilaterally revoke Brexit without the need for permission from the other 27 EU members. This new ruling comes as both Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, both supporters of the UK's exit from the EU, oppose such a ruling. On the other hand, this ruling from the European Court of Justice has created hope among those who are calling for a second Brexit referendum. Organizing such a referendum legally will take at least 22 weeks. The official exit date for the UK from the EU is set for March 29, 2019.