There is an over-used saying about negotiations with the European Union: “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” But in the case of Brexit, that agreement may never come. Britain’s political deadlock over its biggest challenge for decades may never be broken.
In a series of votes in Britain’s House of Commons Tuesday evening, lawmakers will try to take control of Brexit from UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s government, which has failed to get parliamentary approval for her plan for leaving the EU.
Several amendments expected to be put to a vote should, in theory, finally bring some clarity over what kind of Brexit will win the most support. But that is only in theory.
Even as events unfolded Monday, with momentum building around two key amendments, opposing factions were trying to block them. It is possible that, when the time comes for voting, just after 7 p.m. UK time, nothing will pass.
And with two months to go until Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, a stalemate makes the prospect of a no deal more likely than ever.