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May's appeal falls flat as EU seizes control of Brexit date May's appeal falls flat as EU seizes control of Brexit date
(about 2 hours later)
EU leaders moved to seize control of Britain’s exit date from the bloc after an unconvincing appeal by Theresa May on Thursday for a three-month Brexit delay. The EU has handed Theresa May two weeks grace to devise an alternative Brexit plan if her deal falls next week after she failed to convince the bloc that she was capable of avoiding a no-deal Brexit.
In an address to the leaders described by one source as “90 minutes of nothing”, the prime minister failed to persuade leaders that she had a plan to avoid a no-deal Brexit. After a marathon late night session of talks, the EU’s leaders ripped up May’s proposals and a new Brexit timeline was pushed on the prime minister to avoid the cliff-edge deadline of 29 March – next Friday.
May had been seeking an extension to article 50 until 30 June to make time for vital legislation to pass should she manage to get her deal through the Commons next week at a third time of asking. Under the deal agreed by May, Britain will now stay a member state until 12 April if the withdrawal agreement is rejected by MPs at the third time of asking.
The government will be able to seek a longer extension during that period if it can both “indicate a way forward” and agrees to hold European elections.
In the unlikely event that May does win the support of the Commons when the Brexit deal goes to MPs again on Tuesday, the UK will stay a member state until 22 May to allow necessary withdrawal legislation to be passed.
“The 12 April is the new 29 March,” an EU official said.
Brexit extension talks run on as France and Belgium push for 7 May deadline - Politics liveBrexit extension talks run on as France and Belgium push for 7 May deadline - Politics live
In an address to EU leaders described by one source as “90 minutes of nothing”, the prime minister dramatically failed to persuade the bloc that she had a plan to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
May had been seeking an extension to article 50 until 30 June to make time for vital legislation to pass should she manage to get her deal through the Commons next week.
But her appeal “dismally” failed to offer any answers as to what she would do if the deal was blocked by MPs again, sources said, provoking EU leaders into taking matters into their own hands and in effect taking control of her future.But her appeal “dismally” failed to offer any answers as to what she would do if the deal was blocked by MPs again, sources said, provoking EU leaders into taking matters into their own hands and in effect taking control of her future.
“She didn’t even give clarity if she is organising a vote,” said one aide to a leader. “Asked three times what she would do if she lost the vote, she couldn’t say. It was awful. Dreadful. Evasive even by her standards.”“She didn’t even give clarity if she is organising a vote,” said one aide to a leader. “Asked three times what she would do if she lost the vote, she couldn’t say. It was awful. Dreadful. Evasive even by her standards.”
When leaders asked May what she was going to do if her deal was voted down, an official added that the prime minister replied that she was following her plan A of getting it through.When leaders asked May what she was going to do if her deal was voted down, an official added that the prime minister replied that she was following her plan A of getting it through.
It was then that the EU decided that “she didn’t have a plan so they needed to come up with one for her”, the source added.It was then that the EU decided that “she didn’t have a plan so they needed to come up with one for her”, the source added.
With May out of the room, EU leaders delayed their plans to discuss relations with China and launched into a marathon late night session in Brussels. Special meeting of the European Council (Art. 50) (21 March 2019) – Conclusions
The EU’s leaders tore up the prime minister’s request as they sought to protect themselves from the chaos in Westminster. 1. The European Council takes note of the letter of Prime Minister Theresa May of 20 March 2019. 
As late night talks continued, the EU was moving towards a “flextension” delay, designed by Germany and France, under which the UK’s membership would be extended to 22 May if the deal is passed. 2. In response, the European Council approves the Instrument relating to the Withdrawal Agreement and the Joint Statement supplementing the Political Declaration agreed between the European Commission and the government of the United Kingdom in Strasbourg on 11 March 2019. 
But if the withdrawal agreement failed to pass the Commons by 12 April, the UK could then request a long extension. “If the withdrawal agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European council agrees to an extension until 12 April, and expects UK to indicate a way forward for the consideration of the European council,” a draft summit communique said. 3. The European Council agrees to an extension until 22 May 2019, provided the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week. If the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European Council agrees to an extension until 12 April 2019 and expects the United Kingdom to indicate a way forward before this date for consideration by the European Council. 
4. The European Council reiterates that there can be no opening of the Withdrawal Agreement that was agreed between the Union and the United Kingdom in November 2018. Any unilateral commitment, statement or other act should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement. 
5. The European Council calls for work to be continued on preparedness and contingency at all levels for the consequences of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal, taking into account all possible outcomes. 
6. The European Council will remain seized of the matter.
With May out of the room, EU leaders delayed their plans to discuss relations with China and launched into a marathon late-night session in Brussels.
As late night talks went on, the EU moved towards a “flextension” delay, designed by Germany and France. It was then put to May by the European council president, Donald Tusk, shortly after 11pm Brussels time after eight hours of talks with and without the prime minister.
“What this model is designed for is to make it clear that no deal is the not the EU’s choice, it is the UK’s choice,” a diplomatic source said.“What this model is designed for is to make it clear that no deal is the not the EU’s choice, it is the UK’s choice,” a diplomatic source said.
Macron: UK heading for no-deal Brexit if MPs reject May's plan
“The prime minister is braced for a long extension, but doesn’t want to take responsibility for it,” the source said. “She doesn’t want to split the Tories, she doesn’t want a long extension, hence then it is a no deal.”“The prime minister is braced for a long extension, but doesn’t want to take responsibility for it,” the source said. “She doesn’t want to split the Tories, she doesn’t want a long extension, hence then it is a no deal.”
The EU had initially looked at solely offering an extension up until 22 May, the day before European elections would be held, on the condition May had her deal pass next week at the third time of asking. The EU had initially looked at solely offering an extension up until 22 May, the day before European elections would be held, on the condition May’s deal passed next week.
But such was the lack confidence in the prime minister following her latest performance that the EU’s member states acted in their own interest to shore up against a no deal Brexit and allow the British parliament to take control. But such was the lack confidence in the prime minister following her latest performance that the EU’s member states acted in their own interest to shore up against a no-deal Brexit and allow the British parliament to take control.
France and Belgium initially pushed for an unconditional extension up to the 7 May, on the eve of the French Fête de la Victoire bank holiday, to provide a buffer to the economic shock of a no-deal Brexit.France and Belgium initially pushed for an unconditional extension up to the 7 May, on the eve of the French Fête de la Victoire bank holiday, to provide a buffer to the economic shock of a no-deal Brexit.
The EU is also staging a summit in the Romanian city of Sibiu on 9 May to debate the post-Brexit future of the bloc.The EU is also staging a summit in the Romanian city of Sibiu on 9 May to debate the post-Brexit future of the bloc.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, told the room that he did not want the chaos of a no-deal Brexit to erupt before the French went to the polls for their European elections on 26 May. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, were said to have pushed for “flexibility”.Emmanuel Macron, the French president, told the room that he did not want the chaos of a no-deal Brexit to erupt before the French went to the polls for their European elections on 26 May. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, were said to have pushed for “flexibility”.
EU sources said Macron’s “trump card” had triggered the leaders to work round the problem in a new way. “The European council worked well – and it is an elegant solution”, a source said.
Earlier on Thursday, as she arrived at the summit, May had delivered the now-familiar message that parliament must now “make a final choice that delivers on the result of the referendum”.Earlier on Thursday, as she arrived at the summit, May had delivered the now-familiar message that parliament must now “make a final choice that delivers on the result of the referendum”.
Asked if another vote against her deal next week would led to the UK leaving the EU without a deal, she replied: “What is important is that parliament delivers on the result of the referendum and that we deliver Brexit for the British people. I sincerely hope that we can do that with a deal. I’m still working on ensuring that parliament can agree a deal so that we can leave in an orderly way. What matters is that we deliver on the vote of the British people.”
But as the prime minister had travelled to the summit, the backlash against her bullish Downing Street statement on Wednesday night continued in London.But as the prime minister had travelled to the summit, the backlash against her bullish Downing Street statement on Wednesday night continued in London.
MPs, including many of those whom the Tory whips were hoping to win over before a prospective third meaningful vote next week, reacted angrily to May’s claims that they were blocking the people’s will. MPs, including many of those whom the Tory whips were hoping to win over, reacted angrily to May’s claims that they were blocking the people’s will.
In Westminster, several of them challenged the Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom, who was answering questions about the week’s business in parliament, about the prime minister’s tone. A cross-party group of MPs is now considering how best to allow parliament to force May towards a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all, with suspicions running high that she might be about to pivot towards endorsing no deal if her withdrawal agreement fails to pass.
A new amendment has been laid for debate on Monday by Tory MP Sir Oliver Letwin and Labour MP Hilary Benn that would give parliament the chance to vote on ways forward. A similar previous amendment failed only very narrowly, so their hope is that it would gain more support given the fury of many MPs about May laying the blame for Brexit delay at their door.
In Westminster, several of them challenged the Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom, about the prime minister’s tone.
Labour’s Diana Johnson said: “In recent weeks, like many MPs, I have been accused of being a traitor, and I have received Facebook posts saying that, along with the two other Hull MPs, I should be shot and hanged.Labour’s Diana Johnson said: “In recent weeks, like many MPs, I have been accused of being a traitor, and I have received Facebook posts saying that, along with the two other Hull MPs, I should be shot and hanged.
“Does the Leader of the House agree with the prime minister’s statement last night, in which she pitted MPs against the general public?”“Does the Leader of the House agree with the prime minister’s statement last night, in which she pitted MPs against the general public?”
Leadsom appeared to distance herself from the prime minister’s words: “MPs need to be treated with respect and given the opportunity to represent their constituents and their country in alignment with their own beliefs and with doing the best they can possibly do.”Leadsom appeared to distance herself from the prime minister’s words: “MPs need to be treated with respect and given the opportunity to represent their constituents and their country in alignment with their own beliefs and with doing the best they can possibly do.”
Brexit is not the cause of Britain’s political breakdown. It’s a symptom | Gary YoungeBrexit is not the cause of Britain’s political breakdown. It’s a symptom | Gary Younge
The Speaker, John Bercow, reassured MPs: “I have said it before, in the light of some extremely ominous coverage of members some months ago, but I will say it again, because it brooks of no misunderstanding or contradiction: none of you is a traitor and all of you are doing your best.”The Speaker, John Bercow, reassured MPs: “I have said it before, in the light of some extremely ominous coverage of members some months ago, but I will say it again, because it brooks of no misunderstanding or contradiction: none of you is a traitor and all of you are doing your best.”
With little sign of MPs changing their minds in the requisite numbers to create a majority for her deal next week – assuming the Speaker allows her to call another meaningful vote – businesses and trades unions joined together to urge her to change course.With little sign of MPs changing their minds in the requisite numbers to create a majority for her deal next week – assuming the Speaker allows her to call another meaningful vote – businesses and trades unions joined together to urge her to change course.
In a rare joint letter, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and the CBI’s Carolyn Fairbairn described the situation as a “national emergency”, and called on the prime minister to seek a plan B.In a rare joint letter, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and the CBI’s Carolyn Fairbairn described the situation as a “national emergency”, and called on the prime minister to seek a plan B.
“The current deal and no deal must not be the only choice,” they warned, demanding a meeting with May to discuss the next steps.“The current deal and no deal must not be the only choice,” they warned, demanding a meeting with May to discuss the next steps.
Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the treasury, became the latest cabinet minister to argue openly on Thursday that a no-deal Brexit would be preferable to a long delay.Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the treasury, became the latest cabinet minister to argue openly on Thursday that a no-deal Brexit would be preferable to a long delay.
BrexitBrexit
Theresa MayTheresa May
Article 50Article 50
European UnionEuropean Union
EuropeEurope
Foreign policyForeign policy
Jean-Claude JunckerJean-Claude Juncker
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