Theresa May Relishes Cabinet''s Approval for Brexit Deal

Guwahati: In a significant political victory for British Prime Minister, Theresa May, the Cabinet on Wednesday had agreed to back the draft text of the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the European Union (EU).

Announcing the decision, the Prime Minister said, “I firmly believe with my head and my heart that this is a decision that is in the best interests of the entire United Kingdom.

Earlier, striking a note of defiance, she was firm in the Parliament that the deal she had struck with the EU negotiators was one that delivered on what the British people voted for, as she faced critics from within her own party, allies and Opposition over the terms that had been agreed.

“I am confident it takes us significantly closer to what people voted for,” she told MPs during a heated session of Prime Ministers Questions that took place ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

Britain would take back control of its borders and money, she insisted, pointing to the end of the free movement of EU citizens within the U.K., while providing guarantees for those already resident here.

The Cabinet meeting was seen as a crucial moment for Ms. May and her ability to rally a highly divided Cabinet behind her. Though none from the cabinet has resigned so far yet, senior political leaders like Brexit secretary Dominic Raab and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt are yet to publicly voice support for the deal.

However, despite Ms. May winning the Cabinet’s support, there remains a long route to cover: the EU will have to seek endorsement from individual member states, while the deal will also have to make it through the U.K. Parliament, facing down growing calls for a second referendum.

The agreement has generated criticism from across the political spectrum. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Ms. May of conducting bungled negotiations that resulted in a deal that breached the very criteria of success the government had set itself.

Mr. Corbynfurther said that Far from offering Parliament a meaningful say, it offered parliamentarians a “false choice” between a botched deal and no deal.

On the otherhand, accusing Ms. May of not delivering on the vote of the British people, Conservative MP Peter Bone said, “You will lose the support of many Conservative MPs and millions of voters across the country".

Earlier in the day, the Democratic Unionist Party, on whose votes the government relies, also expressed their inhibitions over the deal and whether it will maintain the territorial integrity of the whole of the U.K.

There have already been a number of high-profile ministerial resignations in recent months over the negotiations, including those of former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, former Transport Secretary Jo Johnson, and Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Also Read: Theresa May Faces Cabinet Showdown Over Brexit Deal