‘Get your act together, Britain’
Nation must be firm on Brexit, says European Commission chief
BERLIN: European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker urged Britain to “get your act together” on Brexit, as he rejected accusations that the European Union had a hidden agenda of keeping Britain in the bloc.
“I find it unreasonable that part of the British public seems to think that it’s entirely up to the EU to present a solution for all future British problems,” Juncker told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag yesterday.
“My call is: get your act together and tell us what you want. Our proposals have been on the table for months.”
Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Theresa May postponed a vote in the House of Commons on the withdrawal deal she struck with the EU last month, fearing a huge defeat as many of her own MPs oppose it.
She is seeking further clarifications from Brussels on arrangements relating to the Irish border.
May has said that the vote would take place within the week of Jan 14.
It also means that the parliamentary decision would come just weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29.
The main opposition Labour party has accused May of “running down the clock” to try to force MPs to back her deal rather than risk Britain leaving the EU with no arrangements in place.
“I get the impression that the majority of the British lawmakers deeply distrust the EU and Madame May,” said Juncker.
The European Commission president also rejected claims that Brussels was stalling to stop Britain from leaving.
“One insinuates that our aim is to keep Britain in the EU with all means possible.
“But that’s not our intention,” said Juncker.
“We only want clarity about the future relationships and we respect the result of the referendum.” — AFP