UK elections likely after May’s Brexit defeat

Bloomberg

Britain is edging closer to a general election after parliament rejected Theresa May’s Brexit deal for a third time, deepening the political crisis that has overtaken the country’s bitter divorce from the European Union.
Speaking after the result of the vote was announced, the prime minister gave a veiled warning that an election could be necessary to end the stalemate in the House of Commons, which has failed to back a Brexit plan after months of trying.
“I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House,” May told lawmakers following the defeat by 344 votes to 286. The pound weakened, heading for its worst month since October against the dollar.
May said the defeat of her strategy had “grave” implications for the country, while the European Commission said an economically damaging no-deal split is now “a likely scenario.” EU leaders will meet for an emergency summit on April 10 to seek a way forward.
May has previously said an election is the last thing the country wants. Her spokesman would not go that far on Friday, insisting only that a national vote is not in Britain’s best
interests.
Privately, officials accept that an election could be necessary, even though May has no appetite for one.
May’s government will now step back while Parliament tries to work out a way forward without her next week.
On Monday, lawmakers will have a chance to choose their own preferences in a series of votes on Plan B options. Those are likely to include a full customs union with the European Union and another referendum to approve the final deal. The hope is that this process of narrowing down the options can produce a blueprint that Parliament will support.
May’s team suggested she would try to accommodate the result of these so-called indicative votes.
Ultimately, there could be a runoff between May’s proposal and the next most popular option. But time is short.
Under a deal reached with the EU last week, Britain is now due to exit the bloc on April 12.