From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Countdown to start of Brexit after bill passes parliament
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLONDON — Prime Minister Theresa May could announce the start of the countdown to Brexit Tuesday after parliament gave her the green light — and Scotland wrong-footed her by launching a fresh bid for independence.
Downing Street is playing down speculation that May could announce Tuesday that she is triggering the Article 50 process to leave the European Union, indicating that it would take place later in the month.
But coming just hours after lawmakers approve a bill empowering her to begin the divorce, the prime minister’s statement in the House of Commons could be an opportunity to set out her plans in more detail.
May appeared to be caught off guard Monday when Scotland’s nationalist government announced plans for a second referendum on breaking from the United Kingdom.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had warned that the prospect was on the cards since the June vote to leave the EU — in which a majority of Scots voted to stay — but an announcement had not been expected so soon.
— AFP
The Times of Israel Community.