British PM Theresa May tells MPs London working to reopen Brexit deal talks with EU

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister said she will keep working to reopen Brexit negotiations with a reluctant EU ahead of a series of votes due to be tabled from Thursday.

Theresa May told Parliament on Tuesday that London’s work to convince the EU to agree to changes to the Northern Irish backstop was ongoing.

European Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker is still ruling out renegotiating the mechanism designed to prevent a hard border falling between Northern Ireland and the Republic, May added.

WATCH LIVE: PM @Theresa_May updates the @HouseofCommons on Brexit https://t.co/uVhuewJBph

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) 12 February 2019

“We now all need to hold our nerve to get the changes this House requires and deliver Brexit on time,” the Prime Minister said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said May was “playing chicken” with the country’s future and added May was running down the clock ahead of Brexit day on Friday March 29.

MPs from across Parliament asked May questions on the backstop, as well as on if she would rule out a no-deal or be prepared to walk away from EU talks.

The Prime Minister said she was not in favour of Corbyn’s proposal to remain in the customs union to resolve the deadlock.

The government plans to table a new amendable motion on Thursday that is similar to the one that saw MPs reject the backstop in January.

Another vote is set to take place after fresh talks with Brussels wind up. Parliament would have the chance to vote on a further motion on Wednesday February 27 if talks with the EU fail to produce an agreement, May said.

May went to Brussels on Thursday but talks with European Council President Donald Tusk failed to produce a breakthrough as negotiations continue.

Meeting PM @theresa_may on how to overcome impasse on #brexit. Still no breakthrough in sight. Talks will continue. pic.twitter.com/vn2CVybc1j

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) 7 February 2019