British PM mulls fourth try on Brexit deal

LONDON- Agence France-Presse

British Prime Minister Theresa May on March 30 mulled a possible fourth attempt to get her Brexit agreement through parliament, faced with the growing risk of a chaotic no-deal exit in less than two weeks' time.

MPs on March 29 resoundingly rejected May's deal, although by a substantially lower margin than on two previous occasions in January and March.

"We believe the best way to respect the referendum is to deliver the deal," Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis told BBC radio on March 30.

Noting the growing support for her deal despite the defeat, May's spokesman told reporters on March 28: "We are at least going in the right direction."

MPs are due to gather again on April 1 to consider possible changes to the deal that could ensure it is adopted, including support for closer economic ties with the European Union after Britain leaves.

The government is opposed to revisions of its Brexit strategy and May pointed out on March 28 that any options would still require first that parliament approve her withdrawal agreement- the document spelling out the terms of the divorce.

The withdrawal agreement allows for a long transition period which would temporarily maintain the status quo to give individuals and businesses time to adapt to the future UK-EU relationship.

Three years after Britain voted to leave the EU in a historic referendum, the process is deadlocked by a stand-off between the government and parliament.