Britain’s May Seeks Appeal to EU – Reuters

By Elizabeth Piper

LONDON – Prime Minister Theresa May is set to urge the European Union to collaborate on altering the divorce agreement aimed at facilitating Britain’s exit from the bloc, as she seeks to garner support from a divided parliament.

Prior to her arrival in Brussels for discussions with EU leaders, May recognized the difficulties ahead in attempting to amend a deal settled three months ago, with government sources indicating that a breakthrough was unlikely on this occasion.

During talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, and European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, May will express her desire for "urgent" cooperation to secure modifications that could gain traction not only within her own Conservative Party but also across the wider parliamentary landscape.

In the wake of parliament’s significant rejection of her Brexit deal, May faces the challenge of convincing a hesitant EU to modify the Withdrawal Agreement to secure legislative approval before the March 29 departure date.

Failure to achieve this could plunge Britain and May into a precarious scenario, with potential outcomes ranging from a no-deal exit—which many businesses warn could severely impact the economy—to calls for a second referendum, an early election, or even the possibility of remaining in the EU entirely.

Acknowledging that the current agreement "was the product of much hard work and was negotiated in good faith," May will assert that parliament has delivered "an unequivocal message that change is required." Her office noted that she intends to convey the urgency of working with the EU to implement these changes, stating, "We must show determination and do what it takes to now get the deal over the line."

The main obstacle to garnering approval lies in the contentious Northern Irish backstop—an arrangement designed to prevent a return to border checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which has historical associations with sectarian violence.

While some lawmakers are demanding the complete removal of the backstop, others are willing to accept legally binding assurances that prevent Britain from being indefinitely tied to the EU or provide London with a means to exit unilaterally.

However, the EU, particularly Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, has made it clear that reopening the agreement is off the table, citing the political instability in Britain as further justification for the necessity of the backstop.

Tusk expressed frustration with Britain’s situation, pondering what "that special place in hell" looks like for those who advocated for Brexit without a viable plan for its execution.

Despite both sides’ stated desire to avoid a no-deal scenario, expectations for a breakthrough in Thursday’s discussions remain low. May characterized the Brussels meetings as part of a larger process leading to a new vote on a Brexit deal in the near future.