Mar 29, 2019 - World

Theresa May's last-ditch vote on her Brexit deal fails

Photo: House of Commons/PA Images via Getty Images

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May saw her maligned Brexit deal hit with a third defeat in the House of Commons on Friday in a 344-286 vote.

Why it matters: It means that big changes may be coming to the British political sphere over the next few days, like the announcement of an early general election, as only way that the EU might grant another long-term extension — the U.K. is currently set to leave the bloc on April 12 — would be through some form of significant political upheaval. Otherwise, the U.K. would be forced into a no-deal Brexit.

The state of play: This vote was a little different than the last two. It split the deal's two components — the withdrawal agreement, a legal document setting out the terms of Brexit, and the political declaration, a roadmap for the future EU-U.K. relationship — for a vote only on the withdrawal agreement.

  • Had the vote been successful, it would have lengthened the EU's Brexit extension from April 12 to May 22, giving the U.K. more breathing room before leaving to avoid having to take part in European elections on May 23.

Go deeper: The Brexit Day that wasn't

Go deeper

Jacob Knutson
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. officials: Iran and Russia aim to interfere in election

Iran and Russia have obtained voter registration information that can be used to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced at a press conference Wednesday evening.

Why it matters: The revelation comes roughly two weeks before Election Day. Ratcliffe said Iran has sent threatening emails to Democratic voters this week in states across the U.S. and spread videos claiming that people can vote more than once.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Politics: Senate Democrats block vote on McConnell's targeted COVID relief bill — McConnell urges White House not to strike stimulus deal before election.
  2. Economy: Why the stimulus delay isn't a crisis (yet).
  3. Health: New York reports most COVID cases since May — Studies show drop in coronavirus death rate — The next wave is gaining steam.
  4. Education: Schools haven't become hotspots — San Francisco public schools likely won't reopen before the end of the year.
  5. World: Spain becomes first nation in Western Europe to exceed 1 million cases.
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Rebecca Falconer
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court blocks Alabama curbside voting measure

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Wednesday evening blocked a lower court order that would have allowed voters to cast ballots curbside at Alabama polling places on Election Day.

Whit it matters: With less than two weeks until Election Day, the justices voted 5-3 to reinstate the curbside voting ban and overturn a lower court judge's ruling designed to protect people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow