LONDON, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Theresa May set the exact moment Friday when Britain will finally leave the European Union after more than 40 years of membership.
May's government has tabled a measure in the British parliament which formally commits Britain to leaving the European Union at 11 p.m. on March 29, 2019. In Brussels, the time at that precise moment will be midnight.
In a hard-hitting message published in London's Daily Telegraph newspaper, May warns pro-European Tory rebels that she will not tolerate any attempts to undermine Brexit.
Ahead of a crucial debate and vote in the House of Commons next week on the so-called Brexit Bill, the government has tabled an amendment which formally commits Britain to a precise time it will leave the EU.
The Telegraph says the amendment will effectively force pro-European MPs to publicly declare if they oppose leaving the European Union in March 2019.
Political commentators view May's strong message Friday as an attempt to reassert her authority following a damaging week for her front-team after two of her senior ministers were forced to resign.
May said in her article: "We will not tolerate attempts from any quarter to use the process of amendments to this Bill as a mechanism to try to block the democratic wishes of the British people by attempting to slow down or stop our departure from the European Union.
May added: "It will be there in black and white on the front page of this historic piece of legislation. The EU Withdrawal Bill is the single most significant piece of legislation in this Parliament because it is fundamental to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit."
The prime minister said she believed what most people want now is for Britain to come together and negotiate the best possible Brexit deal for our country's future.
EU remain campaigner and Labor MP Chuka Umunna said in a radio interview Friday that many experts believed the March 2019 leaving date did not give much time for negotiations, saying more time may be needed.
