U.K. lawmakers have voted in favor of seeking a delayed departure from the EU, marking another step in a political crisis that has ripped through the heart of Westminster.
Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for an extension to "Article 50" — which sets out the EU departure process — beyond its current March 29 deadline. The vote was non-binding, however, and the EU will have to agree to a delay. Brussels has already stated that Britain needs to justify requesting such an extension.
The vote completes a dramatic trilogy of events this week which have added yet more confusion into the whole Brexit process. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal suffered a second humiliating defeat as it was voted down by a majority of 149 votes. Then on Wednesday, U.K. lawmakers rejected the idea of leaving the bloc without a Withdrawal Agreement in place.
The main motion on Thursday evening was tabled by May and her government and its passing was a rare piece of good news for her during a difficult week. The exact wording meant that lawmakers approved an extension until June 30 if Parliament approves the government's Brexit deal by March 20.
The motion was in danger of being radically altered by a series of amendments, which would have frustrated May's government once again. U.K. politicians narrowly voted against a senior opposition MP's amendment which would have allowed lawmakers to take control of the parliamentary business and potentially hold indicative votes on the Brexit process, undermining May's control of the situation.
May has already indicated that she will bring her much-maligned Brexit deal back in front of Parliament next week for another vote. No date has yet been scheduled for the third so-called "meaningful" vote. However, the government motion states it must take place before March 20.
With time running out — and a fear that a long delay could mean Brexit is cancelled altogether — pro-Brexit rebels in May's party could change their minds and vote alongside the U.K leader next week — finally passing the deal at the third attempt.
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