UK Likely to Backtrack on ‘Hard Brexit’ Following Election Gamble

Conservatives win election but fall short of majority, increasing chances of a softer deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May gives a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on June 13. May's negotiating position for Brexit has weakened following the elections. Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, England—Brexit could be watered down, or get very messy, following the shock election result that stripped Britain’s ruling Conservative Party of their parliamentary majority.

Prime Minister Theresa May called the election ostensibly to strengthen her negotiating hand in talks on the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, hoping to capitalize on her party’s high popularity in the polls.

Her gamble backfired.

May lost her slim majority in the lawmaking chambers and is now scratching together an informal coalition with 10 members of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland.

Even with the backing of the DUP, however, many political analysts believe May can no longer push for a “hard Brexit.”

Leaving the EU isn’t simply a matter of returning the membership card.

Theresa May lost her slim majority in the lawmaking chambers and is now scratching together an informal coalition with 10 members of Northern Ireland's DUP party.