UK PM calls for unity over Brexit

Prime Minister Theresa May has called on her Conservative Party to "stand together" over Brexit, days before a crunch meeting she hopes will overcome bitter rifts over how Britain should leave the European Union.

Britain's exit from the bloc will mark its biggest trading and foreign policy shift in almost half a century. But May has struggled to unite her ministers and party -- or parliament and the public -- around a plan, often reluctant to spell out her approach for fear of angering one faction or another.

With the clock ticking towards a March departure date and passions running high, May needs to thrash out a deal with her ministers on a future customs arrangement with the EU. The meeting at her country residence, Chequers, on Friday is expected to run well into the evening.

It is unclear what May will present to her cabinet, but those wanting a "clean break" with the EU fear she will try to force them into a compromise on customs that will keep Britain firmly in the bloc's sphere, as desired by some companies and several ministers.

At a cabinet meeting yesterday, May said she "looked forward to the full discussion which will take place at Chequers on Friday, when decisions will be taken on the future partnership the UK is seeking with the EU".