Theresa May says she will leave office before 2022 election

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Thursday she will leave her post before the 2022 election, saying new party leadership is needed after the Brexit controversy.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels before another key European Union meeting, May said it's too early to say exactly when she will leave.

"I think it's right that another party leader takes us into that election," May said. "My focus now is on ensuring that I can get those assurances that we need to get this deal over the line."

May's words came a day after she survived a no-confidence vote by lawmakers who oppose her Brexit deal. She received 83 percent support in British Parliament.

Critics say her plan would keep Britain linked indefinitely to the EU through trade, while preventing it from striking their own deals.

A spokesperson for May said the Brexit vote won't be taken to Parliament before Christmas. The government is committed to voting before Jan. 21 and Britain is scheduled to leave the EU by the end of March.

May said she wants to "assuage" concerns of lawmakers in her Conservative Party by securing assurances from EU leaders the backstop plan with Northern Ireland will be temporary, so there could be a hard border between the two countries again.

"I don't expect an immediate breakthrough. What I do hope is that we can start work as quickly as possible," May said.

At the EU summit Thursday, May was expected to explain the problems she faces with her Brexit plan.

"I'm going to be addressing the European Council later and I'll be showing the legal and political assurances that I believe we need to assuage the concerns that MPs have on this issue," May said.