The prime minister's office has published extracts of May's speech that she delivered to Tory lawmakers earlier in the day.
"This has been a testing time for our country and our party. We're nearly there. We're almost ready to start a new chapter and build that brighter future…I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party," the extracts read.
According to the prime minister, she would make such a move in order to get Eurosceptic MPs to back her withdrawal deal. May's decision means that if the deal is approved, it will be up to the country's next prime minister to decide on the future of the UK's relations with the EU, The Independent says.
MP leaving the room says PM says she won’t stay to lead next phase of negotiations — back the deal and I ll go
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) 27 марта 2019 г.
At the same time, The Guardian reported that May hadn't announced any specific date for her departure when she delivered a speech to the 1922 Committee meeting of Conservative lawmakers.
READ MORE: 16 Versions of Brexit by British MPs: What You Need to Know About Parl't Vote
May has been "honest about the feedback she had received" from MPs, many of whom made her resignation a precondition of backing her deal, a Tory MP said as quoted by The Guardian.
May said she wanted an orderly handover to a new Tory PM. She told MPs she had heard the message. No date given for departure. But clear sense she will leave before phase 2
— James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) 27 марта 2019 г.
The European Union has agreed to extend Article 50, thus, delaying Brexit until 22 May, given that the House of Commons approves a divorce deal this week. If British lawmakers choose not to back the agreement, the deadline will be extended only until 12 April.
Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay announced earlier that the government planned to ask the House of Commons to sit on Friday in an attempt to bring the deal for another vote.
