British parliamentarians have narrowly approved a bill seeking to delay Brexit, as they attempt to avoid a no-deal exit from the European Union.
In a third reading, the House of Commons voted by 313 votes to 312 late on Wednesday in favour of forcing Prime Minister Theresa May to seek an extension of the current Brexit date of April 12.
The bill, which would require May to bring a motion to delay the date of Brexit, now needs to be approved by the upper house, the House of Lords. The European Union would also need to agree to a delay.
May also said she would ask the EU for a further delay to Britain‘s departure date – postponed once already – to avert a chaotic and economically damaging no-deal Brexit on April 12.
Sceptical MPs, reluctant to take her word for it, approved a hastily crafted law that compels May to ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline if a no-deal departure is looming.
