British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation today, telling supporters that it was with “deep regret” that she couldn’t deliver a Brexit deal.
May said she had done everything she could to convince British Parliament to support a withdrawal deal she had crafted with the European Union but that now it was in the “best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead that effort.”
Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU, citing more control over economic and immigration issues as primary reasons. It has been negotiating with remaining countries on trade, immigration and other issues since. Approval of a replacement agreement has proved elusive, however.
May has offered two deals so far that have been soundly defeated in British Parliament. She has also asked for, and received, two delays in the Brexit effective date while a deal is being negotiated.
Britain’s membership in the EU will expire if no deal is reached by the deadline. A new agreement must be ratified by the both the British and European Parliaments in order to go into effect. The current date for England to officially depart the European Union is October 31, 2019.
May will step down on June 7. The process to find her replacement will begin the following week.
Reached for comment, President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for May and her predicament. “I feel badly for Theresa. I like her very much,” the President said. “She’s a good woman. She worked very hard. She’s very strong.”
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