Brexit Debate: UK PM May loses another Brexit vote in Parliament

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Europe

02:44

A new "No" vote for Theresa May's Brexit deal in Parliament. Although mostly symbolic - the prime minister warned that Thursday's NO vote could damage her position with the European Union. CGTN's Richard Bestic explains what's behind the government impasse.

The government had intended to appease. Placing apparently conflicting ideas before Parliament as it juggles Brexit talks with Brussels.

STEPHEN BARCLAY UK BREXIT MINISTER "Members need to give the government time to make good on this work and as a house to hold our nerve. To deliver a deal that addresses the twin risks of no deal and no Brexit."

The intended message from this latest Brexit showdown, assuring Brussels everything's fine. Parliament's onside and on message if only.

The sticking point, still the British border in Ireland - beautiful; invisible but potentially lethal. The challenge post-Brexit, finding a way to avoid a return to a hard border and possible conflict. This, the remains of a border post after an IRA bomb attack. People in Northern Ireland are fearful.

JUSTIN BYRNE NORTHERN IRELAND RESIDENT "People over in England, who've never been here and lived here, think oh they'll have no problems but I think it's very delicate at the moment."

CAOILFIONEE O'HANLAN NORTHERN IRELAND RESIDENT "Our peace has been very hard fought for and I think we need to fight hard for our future generation, that they don't have to go through what we did."

The so-called Brexit backstop is an insurance policy against any return to a hard border, which Dublin and Brussels say is a must. In London, however, Brexit hardliners see it as a mechanism that could trap the UK inside the EU and crashing out even without a deal would be better, they say.

RICHARD BESTIC LONDON "This latest Parliamentary vote is a barometer of the problems ahead for UK Prime Minister Theresa May as she struggles to get Brexit over the line. In Brussels, they'll be watching and wondering. RB, CGTN, London."