May will seek consensus on the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.
With the clock ticking towards March 29th, the date legally set for the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union (Brexit), the country is now in its deepest political crisis in the last 50 years, as it tries to figure out how, and if, it will leave the European project it joined in 1973.
247, with Reuters - With the clock ticking towards March 29th, the date legally set for leaving the European Union (Brexit), the United Kingdom is now in its deepest political crisis in the last 50 years, as it tries to figure out how, and if, it will leave the European project it joined in 1973.
After the result of the confidence vote was announced, drawing applause from Conservative MPs, May said she believed Parliament had a duty and responsibility to find a solution that would implement Brexit.
But with lawmakers deadlocked over how to move forward, the UK could face a disorderly, no-deal exit from the EU, a Brexit delay, or even another referendum on membership.
"Now that MPs have made it clear what they don't want, we have to work together constructively to establish what Parliament wants," May said in a statement outside her official residence on Downing Street.
"That's why I'm inviting parliamentarians from all parties to come together to find a way forward. Now is the time to put aside personal interests."
After winning the vote, May met with several party leaders, but the main opposition leader, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, refused to hold negotiations unless a no-deal Brexit was ruled out.
"Before there can be any positive discussions about the way forward, the government must clearly and once and for all remove the prospect of a catastrophic no-deal Brexit with the EU and all the chaos that would result from it," Corbyn said.
May's spokesperson said she does not rule out a no-deal Brexit, and that the government's policy is to remain outside the EU customs union. Critics say this is because May is trying to avoid a deal rejected by all sides in Parliament.
Some companies have warned of catastrophic job losses and airport chaos if no deal is reached. In that case, trade with the EU would fall under the basic rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Many point out that this could cause major disruptions to industrial supply lines that depend on the rapid and unimpeded flow of goods.
Since the United Kingdom decided, with 52 percent of the vote in favor and 48 against, to leave the European Union in June 2016, the political class has been debating how to abandon the European project designed by France and Germany after the devastation of the Second World War.