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Amid rising conflict, May won't unveil 4th Brexit pitch as planned

By Nicholas Sakelaris
Theresa May speaks in the House of Commons Wednesday to inform lawmakers she is considering concessions to win Labor Party support for her fourth Brexit proposal. Photo by Jessica Taylor/EPA-EFE
Theresa May speaks in the House of Commons Wednesday to inform lawmakers she is considering concessions to win Labor Party support for her fourth Brexit proposal. Photo by Jessica Taylor/EPA-EFE

May 23 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May won't submit her fourth proposed agreement to leave the European Union on Friday, as it was planned -- amid rising discontent among members of her party and lawmakers.

Three times before May has unsuccessfully lobbied lawmakers to approve her agreements, which finalize details of Britain's departure from the 28-member alliance. Each time she has tweaked the plan, but each time they were rejected by legislators. She'd intended to publish the new Withdrawal Agreement Bill on Friday, with a vote expected to follow in early June.

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Thursday, however, May shelved her deal. She said she's "listening to the concerns of her colleagues" and would have more discussions.

May has endured substantial criticisms from government leaders, lawmakers and members of her own Conservative Party. The expectation that her fourth proposal won't differ much from the previous three has fueled lukewarm opinions for the plan. Britain has until the end of October to get Parliament to agree to a deal, as that's when the nation is scheduled to leave the EU.

May has previously said she would resign to get a deal done. Now, reports say she's considering a resignation even without an agreement.

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House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, a member of May's party, announced her resignation Wednesday -- saying she "no longer believes May's approach will deliver a sufficient exit agreement.

Leadsom listed four reasons for her skepticism. First, she said, May's new proposal will keep Britain from being a "truly sovereign United Kingdom." Leadsom, who's opposed a second public referendum on leaving the EU, added that can't support a government that's receptive to staging another vote. She is one of three Cabinet members who opposed several concessions May agreed to this week in a bid to get her deal approved. She will be replaced as House of Commons leader by treasurer Mel Stride.

Several senior Conservative Party members have requested meetings with May to make changes to the proposal, including a provision allowing a second referendum.

Government whip Mark Spencer said the plan's proponents hope to put it before a vote June 7.

Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn predicted May's government won't last very long.

"Get ready for a general election," he said.

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