UK PM May defends Brexit delay, critic asks her to resign

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May defended her decision to delay Brexit and seek a compromise exit plan with the opposition Labour Party as one angry lawmaker stood up in parliament on Thursday and asked her to resign.

The European Union has agreed to delay Brexit by up to six months to Oct. 31 while May seeks an agreement with Labour that she hopes will help get her thrice-rejected exit deal approved by parliament.

“This is not the normal way of British politics ... Reaching an agreement will not be easy, because to be successful it will require both sides to make compromises,” May told parliament.

But her statement on the decision to delay Britain's EU exit for a second time brought angry reaction from Leave hardliners. Arch eurosceptic Bill Cash described it as “abject surrender”.

“Does she also accept that the Withdrawal Agreement undermines our democracy, the constitutional basis of Northern Ireland, our right to govern ourselves, control over our laws and undermines our national interest？ Will she resign？” he said.

May retorted: “I think you know the answer to that.”

She said nothing was more pressing or vital than delivering Brexit, and emphasized that Britain could leave before Oct. 31 and avoid taking part in European Parliament elections if lawmakers approve her deal by May 22.