Theresa May has asked the EU to delay Brexit until 23 June , to allow time to push the divorce agreement through Parliament . May 's request met with resistance from the European Commission . An internal document seen by May favoured either a shorter extension , until 23 May , to avoid a clash with May 's European elections , or a delay until the end of 2019 , which would require the UK to participate in the elections . The opposition Labour Party accused her of “blackmail, bullying and bribery” in her attempts to force her deal through, and one prominent Brexit supporter in her own Conservative Party said seeking a delay was “betraying the British people”. May has told the UK parliament a delay does not rule out a no - deal exit . European Commission president Jean - Claude Juncker maintains that the EU will not reopen divorce negotiations .
Theresa May has asked the EU to delay Brexit until 23 June , to allow time to push the divorce agreement through Parliament . May 's request met with resistance from the European Commission . An internal document seen by May favoured either a shorter extension , until 23 May , to avoid a clash with May 's European elections , or a delay until the end of 2019 , which would require the UK to participate in the elections . May has told the UK parliament a delay does not rule out a no - deal exit . European Commission president Jean - Claude Juncker maintains that the EU will not reopen divorce negotiations .