BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May suffered the worst defeat in almost a century in the British Parliament on Tuesday when members of parliament (MPs) rejected the deal she brokered for leaving the EU.

Conservative party leaders had braced themselves for a defeat, but the 432-202 vote with a wide margin of 230 showed May still has a mountain to climb. Around 118 Conservative MPs voted against May.

The defeat has created mounting uncertainty over the politics and economy in the country, and even the world at large.

Within minutes of Speaker John Bercow announcing the result, May told MPs that the government would pave the way for a debate to decide if the parliament still had confidence in her government.

Main opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence, with a debate yesterday to decide whether May’s government will collapse.

The big stumbling block for many was the risk of Britain being permanently linked to the EU because of a requirement by Brussels that an arrangement had to be put in place to prevent an EU land border between Ireland and British-controlled Northern Ireland.

Although assurances had been given by Brussels that it did not want to introduce the backstop, British politicians, especially those in Northern Ireland, demanded a legally enforceable guarantee that it would never happen.

The EU refused to budge on the issue, offering only words but not the cast-iron legally watertight guarantee.

“Every day that passes without this issue being resolved means more uncertainty, more bitterness and more rancor,” said May, reacting to the huge government loss.

If May loses the confidence vote, it could lead to Queen Elizabeth dissolving parliament and the calling of a snap general election. That would throw the Brexit timetable, with Britain due to end its membership in the EU on March 29, into chaos. It could also lead to Corbyn being handed the keys to 10 Downing Street as a Labour prime minister.

If she survives, May is expected to hold talks with other political parties to determine whether an alternative Brexit deal can be reached. She would also discuss the crisis with EU officials in Brussels.

The result of the confidence vote will determine the next moves, either a general election or May bidding for a deal that could win in the British parliament, or even May resigning or being ousted as prime minister.

If May survives the confidence vote she will return to the House of Commons on Monday with her plan B.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said yesterday that a stable, open and developing Britain and European Union are in line with the interest of all parties, and China hopes that the process of Brexit can be steady and orderly.(Xinhua)