British lawmakers reject leaving EU with no deal

Strasbourg, France

March 13, 2019 2:35 PM

Britain EU Brexit — A pro-Brexit supporter takes part in a protest outside the House of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The European Parliament's chief Brexit official says he wants to limit any Brexit deadline extension to a few months at best, fearing it will take over the whole European election campaign.
Kirsty Wigglesworth | AP

Britain's Parliament has voted to reject having the country leave the European Union without a divorce agreement, a decision that lessens but does not remove the chance of a chaotic "no-deal" Brexit.

The vote Wednesday night also increases the chances that Britain's exit from the bloc will be delayed.

British lawmakers voted 312 to 308 for a motion that "rejects the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future relationship."

The vote has political but not legal force. A no-deal Brexit could still happen unless Britain and the EU ratify a divorce agreement or Britain decides to cancel its departure.

British lawmakers now plan to vote Thursday on whether to ask the EU to delay the country's March 29 departure day.

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