May warns UK lawmakers ahead of crucial Brexit debate

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has warned British lawmakers that her recently-unveiled Brexit bill is the best way to avoid the “cliff edge,” amid growing criticism in Parliament about her handling of Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU).

The MPs on Thursday are set to debate for the first time a bill the government formally drafted in mid-June to enact the divorce process, which proposes the details of replacing EU laws with British laws, ending the supremacy of the European Court of Justice in the UK.

It also authorizes British ministers to amend pieces of legislation that won’t be applicable after London officially bids farewell to the 28-member bloc.

“(It is) the single most important step we can take to prevent a cliff-edge for people and businesses, because it transfers laws and provides legal continuity,” May said in comments provided by her office on Saturday.

Leading the opposition against May’s Brexit plans has been the Labour Party. Under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn the party has been pushing for a series of amendments to the bill, including keeping Britain in the single market and customs union.

May has been feeling the heat ever since her gamble to win a clear parliamentary mandate at a snap election in June backfired and reduced the Conservative party’s absolute majority to a slim one that rests on an agreement with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party.

In fact, pro-European lawmakers in her own party can easily team up with other parties to vote down legislation or support amendments sought by the oppositions.

On Saturday, May’s deputy warned Conservative lawmakers against taking measures that would give Labour more chances to return to power.

In an article for the Sun, Brexit minister David Davies said Labour’s “only motivation is the pursuit of chaos.”

The Brexit minister also dismissed as “nonsense” the reports that claimed May was in “secret” talks to accept a hefty £50 billion EU bill to settle the divorce.

Davis also took jabs at EU officials and accused his EU counterpart Michel Barnier of taking a “silly” stance on Brexit.

SS