UK PM May faces rebellion over refusal to publish Brexit plans

Policemen stand guard outside the Supreme court in London on the second day of a four-day hearing on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a rebellion among her own lawmakers when parliament debates whether the government should set out its Brexit plan before triggering formal divorce talks with the European Union.

May, who plans to kick off the exit process by March-end next year, has said the government won't give a running commentary on its preparations for Brexit as this would damage its negotiating position. The opposition Labour Party has put forward a motion, to be debated today, calling on the government to publish its plan for leaving the bloc before it invokes Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

The BBC reported that one former minister had predicted between 20 and 40 lawmakers from May's ruling Conservatives could support the motion, which is not binding on the government but would increase pressure on it to be more open. "These things are incredibly important. This actually transcends party politics and tribalism. There is nothing in it that I don't agree with," remain-backing Conservative lawmaker Anna Soubry told BBC Radio. "The contents of that motion are eminently supportable."