NAN-H-42
Election
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, June 9, 2017(NAN) Experts on Friday said Prime Minister Theresa May’s loss of parliamentary majority in the snap election would weaken Brexit negotiations.
NAN reports that with 649 of 650 seats declared, the Conservatives had won 318 seats.
Though the biggest single winner, they failed to reach the 326-mark they would need to command a parliamentary majority.
Labour had won 261 seats.
Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, former Vice Chancellor University of Abuja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that May’s pursuit of a stronger mandate for Brexit talks had already been weakened by the election
Yaqub said:“the result has put May in a tight corner and UK may not get what it wants in the Brexit negotiation expected in the next ten days.”
He said:“The implication is not just an internal affairs of Britain, what I mean by this, is that the country is also in consultation with other members of the EU on the Brexit.
“Ideally, whether it is a conservative or Labour-led government that will negotiate the exit of Britain, May needs a legislature that can act. Britain needs a strong party to negotiate.
“AS it is now with already weak strength by the conservative to exit the EU it appears now that they are already going into the negotiation very weak,” he said.
He a;so said that the election notwithstanding showed that the Labour party is not “becoming the second fiddle in the politics of Britain”.
Yaqub said the result of the election was also a signal to Nigeria that it needs to diversify its relationship and reduce dependence on Britain.
“The Nigeria government should be looking at reducing dependence on Britain economically, Britain is not even number one or five in the league of world economic countries.
“Nigeria government should take a queue other countries and look towards East and Asia, China has become a strong global player in economic matters.
“The result of the election should give impetus to Nigeria to look elsewhere instead of relying on Britain for support
“I am not saying that Nigeria should cut off relationship with Britain but should begin to look elsewhere for assistance,” he said.
Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, former Director General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs on his part said that election was very important to UK’s decision on Brexit.
“Prime Minister May has asked the people to give her the required support to enable her carry the popular will of the people.
“The parliament is also required to vote in favour or against, in this case the parliament cannot vote against popular referendum, it is important to know who will be there that could push the agenda forward,” he said.
He said that the result of the election might make it a bit difficult for her to push her pursuit on Brexit through.
Akinterinwa said that the result would not in any way affect the decision of the people on the Brext.
“The Brexit was a pronouncement of the people of the UK at the end of the day what is there is that the Brexit has come to stay.
NAN reports that after a majority of British citizens voted to leave the EU in a referendum held in June 2016,
May in March triggered Article 50 of the European Lisbon Treaty, the formal mechanism that allows a country to exit the bloc.
Talks to discuss the terms of the divorce are expected to start in the coming months and to last about two years.
NAN reports that negotiations could be launched on Monday, June 19, for the Brexit talks.
(NAN)
IAA/SH
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edited by Sadiya Hamza