LONDON (AP) - The Latest on Britain’s exit from the European Union (all times local):
12:15 p.m.
The leader of Britain’s main opposition party has used his new year message to condemn Prime Minister Theresa May’s handling of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Monday that May has made a “mess” out of Brexit and put Britain into an unneeded crisis.
He said May has let down voters across the country, disappointing both those who wanted to leave the EU and those who had favored remaining in the bloc in the 2016 referendum.
Corbyn says Labour is ready to offer a “radical alternative” to the present government.
His video message was released on social media Monday morning. Corbyn did not offer an alternative Brexit plan.
May intends to have Parliament vote on her plan in mid-January.
___
11:40 a.m.
The U.S. ambassador to Britain has cast doubts on whether a major bilateral trade deal can be reached if Parliament approves the Brexit proposal from Prime Minister Theresa May.
Robert “Woody” Johnson told BBC radio Monday that negotiating a “quick” and “massive” trade deal between the two longtime allies “doesn’t look like it would be possible” under the terms of May’s proposed deal with the European Union.
Johnson used a live radio appearance to reiterate President Donald Trump’s concerns about the proposed agreement, which faces strong opposition in Britain’s Parliament.
May has said she plans to bring the plan to a vote in mid-January.
The U.S. ambassador said he finds a “defeatism” in the British attitude toward Brexit that overlooks the many positive developments leaving the EU could bring.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.