What Happened Not so fast. The United Kingdom's departure from the European Union might not be as quick as initially advertised. On Feb. 26, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that if the House of Commons rejects the withdrawal agreement that her government negotiated with Brussels by March 13, her government will ask lawmakers whether they wish to leave the bloc without a deal. If members of Parliament reject that option as well, then she will ask lawmakers on March 14 whether to ask the union for more time, thereby delaying Brexit. Why It Matters May's announcement is significant because, for the first time, the British government has officially opened the door for a delay to the United Kingdom's exit date, which is currently scheduled for March 29. For weeks, May had insisted that if Parliament rejected her deal, the default outcome would be a disorderly Brexit.