Green light to begin EU election preparations

Officials have been given the green light to begin preparations for European elections on 23 May as a “contingency” measure. The UK would be required to take part in the elections if the government is forced to seek a long delay to Brexit.

In a letter to the Electoral Commission, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington stressed that “it remains the intention for the UK to leave the EU with a deal and not take part in the European parliamentary elections in May”.

But he added that the government would “reimburse reasonable spending by returning officers on contingency preparations for European Parliament elections”.

EU Commission president Jean-claude Juncker confirmed to reporters in Germany that “if the British haven’t left by 2 April and there is an extension, then Britain must take part in the European election.”