Brexit won’t be reversed, May warns EU leaders
THERESA May will today tell EU leaders clinging to the idea Britain will stay in the EU that the referendum is irreversible.
In her first EU summit, the Prime Minister will crush suggestions made by some Eurocrats that Brexit will never happen.
In what are likely to be tense talks, she will state that the British people have spoken loud and clear and there will be no backsliding or second referendum. The Brussels meeting of all 28 EU leaders will confine the discussion about Brexit to the ‘starter course’ of a working dinner, in what some will see as a snub to the UK.
But Number Ten insisted it was relaxed about the decision. The main item on the agenda will be the aggressive behaviour of Russia.
Other EU leaders have made it clear they will refuse to discuss the terms of Brexit – such as limiting immigration – until Article 50 is triggered in March. Officials said that, nevertheless, Mrs May had a strong message to deliver.
Last week, European Council president Donald Tusk raised the idea that, when faced with the painful reality of leaving the EU, the referendum result could be set aside.
He said: ‘If you ask me if there is any alternative to this bad scenario, I would like to tell you yes, there is. In my opinion, the only real alternative to a “hard Brexit” is “no Brexit”. Even if today hardly anyone believes in such a possibility.’
Aides said Mrs May will tell fellow EU leaders the ‘British people have made their decision and it is right and proper that decision is honoured’.
A No 10 source said: ‘There has been a sense there is still some debate in certain quarters of the EU on whether it might still be possible [to remain a member of the EU].
‘The PM has been absolutely clear that this is not the case, but this is an opportunity for her to say that to all the other leaders because we now need to be focusing on the future. That is a future with the UK outside of the EU.’
Separately, Mrs May will strike a conciliatory tone, telling her counterparts she wants to leave the Brussels club without ‘damaging’ the EU and remaining members.
She will commit Britain to remaining a ‘strong partner’ of the EU – and will pledge that, until we are out, the UK will remain ‘responsible, active and engaged’. This means continuing to pour an estimated £10billion a year into the EU’s coffers and allowing free movement of migrant workers.
Yesterday, it was reported that German chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is instructing officials to avoid any back-door contacts that could hand the UK an advantage in trade talks.
They are sticking to an official line that no negotiations can take place until Article 50 is triggered.
EU diplomats are worried about the hostile reaction Mrs May could get. A senior British Government source said officials in Brussels were seeking to calm tensions.
Mrs May will address the group for around 10 to 15 minutes at the start of the meal.
The source said: ‘I think some will respond, and some will feel provoked to respond … staff working for Donald Tusk are probably doing a ring around to say…we don’t want two hours on the British question on Thursday night.’
The source said some EU countries were angry about proposals set out by Home Secretary Amber Rudd to limit the number of foreign workers
But he added: ‘They are broadcasting tough messages on no negotiations without notification, they want to sound spine-chilling about the implications of a hard Brexit.’