Theresa May promise to quit as prime minister if her Brexit deal passes

In a last-ditch bid to persuade rebels in her Conservative Party to back her, British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will quit if her twice-defeated EU divorce deal passes at the third attempt.

May reportedly told Tory party MPs at a closed meeting that she will “do what is right” and step aside as prime minister if they back her EU withdrawal deal which will ensure a smooth path for a new leader to begin the next step of negotiating the future relationship with the European Union.

I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party, Mrs May said on Wednesday.

I know there is a desire for a new approach — and new leadership — in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations — and I won’t stand in the way of that.

Mrs May’s announcement is the latest dramatic turn in the United Kingdom’s three-year Brexit crisis, but it is still remains uncertain how, when or even if it will leave the European Union.

Many of the Conservative rebels who want a cleaner break from the EU than Mrs May’s deal would deliver had made it clear that they would only consider supporting her agreement if she gave a firm commitment and date for her resignation.

Mrs May had already promised to step down before the next election, due in 2022. By agreeing to go sooner, she increases the chances of her EU deal passing before the new April 12 deadline.

I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party, Mrs May told the party meeting, according to extracts released by her office.

I ask everyone in this room to back the deal so we can complete our historic duty — to deliver on the decision of the British people and leave the European Union with a smooth and orderly exit.

The government is now expected to bring the deal back to parliament for a third vote on Friday.