New Brexit vote set for Jan. 14

British Prime Minister Theresa May announced late Monday that Parliament would vote the week of Jan. 14, more than a month later than originally scheduled, on a plan for how to withdraw from the European Union. “I know this is not everyone’s perfect deal,” she said. “But if we let the perfect be the enemy of the good then we risk leaving the EU with no deal.” With only 14 weeks to go before the separation deadline, about 3,500 troops are on standby to support the government if Brexit takes place without lawmakers agreeing to terms that would smooth the transition, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said.

Britain and the EU reached a Brexit agreement last month, but May delayed a Dec. 11 parliamentary approval vote because of opposition within her Conservative party. Critics argued the deal’s “backstop” agreement for managing the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland could keep Britain tied to the EU indefinitely.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition party, said May “has cynically run down the clock trying to maneuver Parliament into a choice between two unacceptable outcomes: her deal and no deal.” The British Cabinet held a Tuesday session to make financial preparations in case Britain leaves the bloc without a deal.