国际英语资讯:Angry exchanges as Britain braces for key Brexit vote in parliament_时事

国际英语资讯:Angry exchanges as Britain braces for key Brexit vote in parliament

But to avoid the return of a border between Northern Ireland and Dublin the EU has insisted on a backstop arrangement to prevent a return to a visible border on the island of Ireland.

The UK, EU and the Irish government have each said they don't want to see the return of a border, but if no deal is reached by the end of 2020, a backstop could be introduced that would keep Britain locked into a customs arrangement with the EU, with no unilateral power to withdraw from it.

The House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said he will issue a speedy ruling on the call for a contempt debate.

It was the latest twist in what is destined to be a roller coaster nine-day in British politics with nobody certain of the outcome.

MPs return Tuesday for the start of what will be a five-day debate on May's Brexit deal, with a crucial vote taking place on Dec. 11.

May is already on target for a humiliating defeat in a week's time, with politicians from all parties, including her own Conservatives, threatening to vote against it.

The big question in Westminster Monday night was whether the statement delivered by Cox to MPs will make things better or worse for May, who has insisted the deal she has brokered with Brussels is the best for Britain.

In his statement, Cox admitted that May's deal was a calculated risk, but he believed that if the House of Commons votes down May's proposals next week there will be what he described as great and chaotic disorder.