(CNN) — British lawmakers have temporarily seized control of the Brexit process from Prime Minister Theresa May, in a rare move that puts lawmakers in the driving seat.
MPs voted in defiance of the government on Monday for an amendment, carried by 329 to 302, giving them control of Parliament’s agenda on Wednesday and clearing the way for a series of alternative votes to May’s widely criticized withdrawal agreement with the European Union.
Come Wednesday, lawmakers could vote on as many as seven different options — which might include a second referendum, crashing out with no deal, and a Norway-style deal with the EU, giving the UK full access to the single market and the European Free Trade area.
May, who is still seeking further support for her twice-rejected Brexit deal, told the House of Commons earlier Monday that she could not “commit the government to delivering the outcome of any votes held by this House. But I do commit to engaging constructively with this process.”
Her de facto deputy David Lidington later assured Parliamentarians that the government “has honored the wishes of the House” after they voted in previous non-binding motions, including ruling out a no-deal Brexit and in favor of delaying the country’s exit from the EU.
He added that he hopes lawmakers will have another opportunity to vote on May’s Brexit deal later this week.
This story was first published on CNN.com “UK lawmakers seize control of Brexit process from Theresa May’s government“
