A pro-Europe demonstrator holds a flag outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Tuesday Jan. 8, 2019. The British government on Tuesday ruled out seeking an extension to the two-year period taking the country out of the European Union ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote next week on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
LONDON — The British government has brought its little-loved Brexit deal back to Parliament, a month after postponing a vote on the agreement to stave off near-certain defeat.
Lawmakers are beginning five days of debate Wednesday on the agreement with the European Union (EU), setting out the terms of Britain’s departure from the bloc on March 29.
A vote, initially slated for December, is scheduled for January 15.
But opposition remains strong from both pro-Brexit and pro-EU U.K. lawmakers. Brexiteers have been urging government to ramp up preparations for leaving EU without a deal.
But many lawmakers and businesses said that could cause economic turmoil.
The de-facto deputy Prime Minister, David Lidington, said the only way to avoid a disruptive no-deal “is for Parliament to endorse and ratify a deal.” /kga