10:13 a.m. ET, February 26, 2019
May's statement: What you need to know
Besides Theresa May's plan to put a delayed Brexit up for a vote, here are the other key takeaways from her statement:
UK and EU working on "alternative arrangements" to backstop in Ireland
The UK and EU have agreed to consider a joint work stream to develop alternative arrangements to ensure the absence of a hard border in Northern Ireland.
This work will be done in parallel with the future relationship negotiations and is without prejudice to them.
Our aim is to ensure that, even if the full future relationship is not in place by the end of the implementation period, the backstop is not needed because we have a set of alternative arrangements ready to go.
Matching EU laws on workers' rights to be put up for vote
Not only would giving up control go against the spirit of the referendum result, it would also mean accepting new EU laws automatically, even if they were to reduce workers’ rights or change them in a way that was not right for us.
Instead, and in the interests of building support across the House, we are prepared to commit to giving Parliament a vote on whether it wishes to follow suit whenever the EU standards in areas such as workers’ rights and health and safety are judged to have been strengthened.
UK would ultimately make a "success" of a no-deal Brexit
I believe that if we have to, we will ultimately make a success of a No Deal.
But this paper provides an honest assessment of the very serious challenges it would bring in the short-term – and further reinforces why the best way for this House to honor the referendum result is to leave with a deal.
Urges EU states to guarantee rights of Brits living abroad
We are holding further urgent discussions with member states to seek assurances on the rights of UK citizens.
I urge all EU countries to make this guarantee and end the uncertainty for these citizens.
I hope that the government’s efforts can give the House – and EU Citizens here in the UK – the reassurances they need and deserve.
Rules out second referendum proposed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
He has gone back on his promise to respect the referendum result and now wants to hold a divisive second referendum that would take our country right back to square one.
Anyone who voted Labour at the last election because they thought he would deliver Brexit will rightly be appalled.
This House voted to trigger Article 50, and this House has a responsibility to deliver on the result.
The very credibility of our democracy is at stake.