Could date for finally leaving EU be pushed back to 2020?
THERESA May left the door open yesterday to delaying Brexit.
Downing Street insisted there were no plans to extend the Article 50 departure date beyond the planned March 29.
But the Prime Minister failed to rule out the chance of this falling by the wayside in the wake of Tuesday night’s crushing Commons defeat for her withdrawal agreement.
Justice Secretary David Gauke warned there were only days left to secure a deal to meet the schedule.
And Brussels sources last night also indicated the EU was ready to approve an extension of Article 50 for up to a year, until 2020, to avoid No Deal.
Yesterday Mrs May faced repeated calls from MPs to delay Brexit to allow more time to find an alternative plan.
SNP parliamentary leader Ian Blackford said extending Article 50 to permit a second referendum on EU membership was ‘the only way forward’.
Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who is also calling for a second referendum, urged Mrs May to ‘extend Article 50 to allow us to put a realistic negotiated Brexit direct to the British people’.
Former Tory chancellor Kenneth Clarke said a changed departure date was needed ‘to give us time to sort out what we now propose to do’.
In reply, the Prime Minister said she did not want to extend Article 50 – but did not rule out the possibility if more time is needed to secure a deal and get it through Parliament. She told the Commons: ‘The Government’s policy is that we are leaving on March 29. The EU would extend Article 50 only if it was clear there was a plan that was moving toward an agreed deal.’
Many ministers believe privately a delay is inevitable because of the sheer weight of legislation the Government must pass before Brexit day. Any extension needs to be approved by all 27 other
‘A reasonable request’
EU countries. Peter Altmaier, who is Germany’s economy minister, said: ‘The EU should allow for additional time in order to achieve a clear position by the British Parliament and people. I would see this as a reasonable request.’
An EU diplomat said: ‘There is work going on to see how Article 50 can be extended beyond the European elections on May 23. Any extension can only be a one-off so after the defeat it looks sensible to go for a longer period.’
The PM has told MPs on more than 70 occasions that she will lead Britain out of the EU on March 29.
Last week she warned the Cabinet that delaying Brexit beyond the next European parliament elections could spark a Ukip resurgence.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, a Brexiteer, yesterday ruled out a delay, saying: ‘ We are clear we won’t be delaying Article 50 and we won’t be revoking it.’
David Davis warned of a backlash if the date changed. ‘We will see quite visible anger from the public at large, and not just those who might be counted as Leavers,’ he told the Commons European scrutiny committee.
‘I have met quite a lot of erstwhile Remainers who have said to me “I have changed my mind and next time I will vote Leave” or “why is this proving such a difficult process?”’