No time for Brexit delays

British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday urge voters to back her to deliver the country's exit from the European Union, playing one of her strongest cards in the election campaign as opinion polls show that her party's large lead has shrunk.

A series of polls ahead of Britain's June 8 election have shown the Conservatives' lead over Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party has fallen to between 9 and 13 percentage points, well down on leads of 20 points or more before May called the snap election.

After launching her manifesto last week, including unexpected plans to reduce financial support for elderly voters, May returned to her core message, saying that Corbyn was not committed to or capable of securing a successful Brexit, reported Reuters.

"The deal we seek will be negotiated by me or Jeremy Corbyn. There will be no time to waste and no time for a new government to find its way," May said, according to extracts of a speech that highlighted that divorce talks with the EU could begin 11 days after the election.

Meanwhile, EU ministers yesterday unanimously gave Michel Barnier the green light to start Brexit talks, with the Frenchman hoping to sit at the table from June 19 after Britain's general election.

Barnier said the backing of the remaining 27 countries was a further show of "determination and confidence" in what promise to be two years of bruising negotiations with London, reported AFP.

The former European commissioner and French foreign minister also warned his British counterpart David Davis against further threats to walk away from the talks if Brussels pushes a reported 100-billion-euro ($112-billion) divorce bill.

Although both May and Corbyn campaigned last year to remain in the EU, polls show that May is more trusted to secure a good deal in talks with Brussels.