Article 50: The facts

and working in Scotland. With all of this in mind, the inevitable conclusion is to extend Article 50. It may be the only option to ensure a deal and a reasonable transition period.” IT has a bland name that we have heard countless times – but what exactly is Article 50?

It’s a formal legal process that was unused until the UK invoked it on March 29, 2017.

Only 250 words long, it forms part of the Lisbon Treaty, drawn up in December of 2009 as part of a bid to make the EU “more democratic, transparent and efficient”.

It is a basic five-point plan for any country wishing to depart the European Union, and states: “Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.”

And its only real quantifiable detail is a provision that provides negotiators with two years from the date of Article 50 notification to conclude new arrangements.

Failure to do so means the state falls out of the EU with no new provisions in place.

And so, when the UK told the EU it was leaving, it meant it would no longer “participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it”.

But two-and-a-half years on and it seems the UK is no further forward.

So could the Article be revoked? confidence plummeting, our politicians need to put aside differences, for the wellbeing of their communities if nothing else. During any extension – say until the newly-elected MEPs take their seats on July 2 – we must secure a transitional deal.

“This longer window could give Scottish business a much-needed opportunity to prepare while taking the fever out of the public debate.”

Under its wording, the Government can obtain an extension from the European Council, provided the other 27 countries accept unanimously.

And after the Brexit deal was rejected, the Committee on Exiting the European Union yesterday said if Parliament could not agree on a way forward by the March 29 departure day, lawmakers should be able to vote on whether to extend the Article 50 negotiation period.

This week it was reported that European officials were indeed examining plans to delay Brexit until 2020 after France and Germany indicated their willingness to extend talks due to the turmoil in the UK.

Chancellor Philip Hammond had raised the possibility on Tuesday, telling business leaders in a call that a no-deal Brexit could be avoided.

According to the CBI, he outlined how the March 29 date might be postponed.

On Monday, Theresa May declined to categorically rule out an extension, stressing she wishes to deliver a “smooth and orderly” departure.

But as we know only too well, nothing is “smooth and orderly” about Brexit.

If we don’t do this, Scotland and the rest of the UK will be pushed over the cliff into an unknown situation that could be disastrous for our country

continued EU membership. However, the UK Government is pressing ahead with exiting from the EU having triggered Article 50 without knowing what it wanted to negotiate.

“After two years, we now find ourselves on the brink of exiting the EU without a withdrawal agreement that both the UK Parliament and the EU can sign up to.

“There is therefore no choice but to seek agreement with the EU to extend Article 50 to allow time for a second EU referendum to take place.

“The questions on the ballot should be agreed with the devolved parliaments and should include remain as an option.

“If we don’t do this, Scotland and the rest of the UK will be pushed over the cliff into an unknown situation that could be disastrous for our country, particularly our most vulnerable citizens.” “FOLLOWING this week’s events, the 10-week timetable isn’t remotely credible.

“With no clarity about plan B, no willingness in the EU to renegotiate, and no serious support for the chaos of the cliff edge, the Article 50 process must be extended or revoked.

“We have more than enough reasons for a People’s Vote – the Leave campaign’s false promises and outright lies, the findings that it broke electoral law, the dark money scandal and the deadlock at Westminster.

“We must let the voters cancel this self-destructive process, and remain members of the EU with all the benefits that guarantees.”