Britain's Brexit drama faces parliament judgement day

LONDON- Agence France-Presse

Britain faces a moment of truth today when parliament votes on Prime Minister Theresa May's ill-loved Brexit plan- a day after she said she secured last-minute changes to the deal from the EU.

May huddled late Monday with EU leaders in Strasbourg in a bid to salvage the vision of Brexit she set out after coming to power nearly three years ago.

The two sides then announced "legally binding changes" to the old agreement aimed at addressing Britain's needs and getting the deal through parliament.

"Now is the time to come together, to back this improved Brexit deal, and to deliver on the instruction of the British people," May said.

The three-part package of changes effectively aims to resolve a key sticking point for British MPs over the so-called backstop plan to keep open the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.

But late Monday, Britain's main opposition Labour Party announced it would vote against the deal, saying May had "failed.”

"This evening's agreement with the European Commission does not contain anything approaching the changes Theresa May promised parliament," said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Political chaos verging on panic has gripped Britain as its 46-year relationship with the European Union nears its scheduled end in 17 days.

The vote is expected at around 19:00 GMT.