We WILL have to take part in Euro elections
No10 admits no time for Brexit deal
THE Tories have finally admitted we will have to take part in EU elections – despite Theresa May vowing to stop them going ahead.
Her de-facto deputy David Lidington confirmed there is not enough time to get a Brexit deal through Parliament – and we may now not leave the bloc until August 1.
Mr Lidington said: “We very much hoped we would be able to get our exit sorted so those elections did not have to take place. But legally they do have to.
“We will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to try to make sure the delay after that is as short as possible.
“Ideally, we’d like to be in a situation where those MEPs never have to take their seat – certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess.”
Downing Street added the Prime Minister “deeply regrets” the elections, which could cost £150million, going ahead. And Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman predicted the party would “get a kicking”, dropping to 10 out of the UK’s 73 MEPs.
The extra pressure on Mrs May’s leadership came as the Tories’ backbench chief again told her to set her departure date. Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, was thought to have warned unless she did she could face another challenge.
Brexit talks resumed yesterday with Labour sources downplaying claims they were set to strike a deal. The issue of a customs union is still dividing the parties.
We will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs
DAVID LIDINGTON ON RESUMING BREXIT TALKS