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Theresa May: UK must 'move forward' or 'open door to more division'

Theresa May: UK must 'move forward' or 'open door to more division'

Theresa May has said British MPs will have to decide whether to back the draft Brexit deal and "move forward together into a brighter future" or reject it and "open the door to yet more division and uncertainty".

It comes after European Council president Donald Tusk confirmed that the 27 European Union leaders have endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration finally agreed with the commission last week.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has warned Britain cannot expect to get a better Brexit deal if the British Parliament rejects the agreement hammered out by Theresa May.

At a press conference in Brussels, British Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Before Christmas, MPs will vote on this deal.

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"It will be one of the most significant votes that Parliament has held for many years. On it will depend whether we move forward together into a brighter future or open the door to yet more division and uncertainty.

"The British people don't want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit.

"They want a good deal done that fulfils the vote and allows us to come together again as a country.

"I will take this deal back to the House of Commons, confident we have achieved the best deal available and full of optimism about the future of our country.

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"In Parliament and beyond it, I will make the case for this deal with all my heart and I look forward to that campaign."

Mr Juncker added: "I am totally convinced that this is the only deal possible. Those who think by rejecting the deal that they would have a better deal will be disappointed in the first seconds after the rejection of this deal."

The European Commission president said "divorce is a tragic moment".

"Payments have to be made but the future understanding is one which has to be constructed.

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"I don't think Britain will be a third country like other third countries are third countries.

"There is, between us, something which has the remainings of love."

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