UK PM May vows to stick to Brexit deal as opponents seek formal challenge

[November 19, 2018]  By Kylie MacLellan and William James

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May vowed on Monday to stick to her contentious draft European Union divorce deal as dissenting lawmakers in her own party tried to trigger a leadership challenge.

Since striking a deal on Tuesday, May has faced the most perilous crisis of her premiership with several ministers, including her Brexit minister, resigning.

May has pledged to fight on, warning that toppling her risks delaying Britain's exit from the EU or leaving without a deal, a step that could thrust the world's fifth largest economy unto the unknown.

"We have in view a deal a that will work for the UK and, let no one be in any doubt, I am determined to deliver it," May said in a speech to Britain's premier business lobby, the CBI, which drew loud applause. "We are not talking about political theory but the reality of people's lives and livelihoods."

"While the world is changing fast, our geography is not: Europe will always be our most proximate goods market, and ensuring we have free-flowing borders is crucial," May said, citing the importance of the automotive industry.

The EU is due to hold a summit to discuss the draft deal on Nov. 25. Some Brexit-supporting ministers are reported to want to rewrite parts of it, though Germany has ruled this out.

The EU's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the draft deal was "fair and balanced".

BREXIT "WRECKING BALL"

More than two years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, it is still unclear how, on what terms or even if it will leave as planned on March 29, 2019.

Many business chiefs and investors fear politics could scupper an agreement, thrusting the economy into a no-deal Brexit that they say would weaken the West, spook financial markets and silt up the arteries of trade.

CBI President John Allan said such a Brexit would be a "wrecking ball" for Britain's economy while CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn said politicians playing a high-stakes game that could lead to an accidental 'no-deal' departure.

"Surely, surely, we can do better than this," she said.

Asked about the unpopularity of her deal among many in her party, May said voters should listen to business.

However, rebels in her own Conservative Party who say the deal will leave Britain in indefinite subjugation to the EU are attempting to trigger a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

John Allan, President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), speaks at their annual conference in London, Britain, November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The chairman of the party's "1922 Committee", Graham Brady, said on Sunday that the threshold of 48 letters from lawmakers had not yet been reached. He also said if there were a vote, May would win.

The Sun newspaper said the rebels were six letters short.

One of them, Simon Clarke, told BBC radio: "This day must be the point at which ... action is taken."

BREXIT UNCERTAINTY

May's biggest challenge will be getting the deal through parliament. The DUP, a small Northern Irish party that props up her minority government, has threatened to pull its support because the deal could end up treating Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the United Kingdom.

Also speaking at the CBI conference, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was set to describe the deal as "a botched, worst-of-all-worlds deal which is bad for Britain, leaving the country in an indefinite halfway house without a real say".

Corbyn, who has said his party will oppose May's deal in parliament, was due to say Labour's plan for Brexit would include a new, comprehensive and permanent customs union, and a "strong single-market relationship".

"The government is trying to force a bad deal that doesn't meet our country's needs by threatening us all with the chaos and serious damage to our economy of a no deal outcome," an advance text of his speech said.

Business minister Greg Clark said London would be open to extending a transition period between Britain leaving the bloc and the start of a new trading relationship until 2022.

(Writing by Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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