Theresa May blames 'indulgent' MPs as she asks European Union for three-month Brexit delay
3 min read
Theresa May has formally asked the European Union for a three-month delay to Brexit - and insisted that a longer extension would represent a "failure" by MPs.
The Prime Minister wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk, ahead of Thursday's European Council meeting tomorrow, seeking agreement to extend Article 50 to 30 June.
Mrs May said the "short extension" would allow ministers to bring forward a third meaningful vote on her deal.
But she strongly ruled out pushing Britain's exit back further, given it would likely force the UK into taking part in May's European Parliament elections.
In a fiery session, the PM also slammed MPs as having "indulged themselves on Europe for too long" and said it was “time for this House to determine that it will deliver on Brexit for the British people”.
"On Thursday the House voted in favour of a short extension if the House had supported a meaningful vote before this week’s European Council," she said during Prime Minister's Questions.
"The motion also made it clear that a longer extension would oblige the United Kingdom to hold elections to the European Parliament. Mr Speaker, I do not believe such elections would be in anyone’s interests.
"The idea… that three years after voting to leave the EU the people of this country should be asked to elect a new set of MEPs is, I believe, unacceptable."
"It would be a failure to deliver on the referendum decision that this House said it would honour."
The Prime Minister said a longer Brexit delay would risk "endless hours and days of this House carrying on contemplating its navel on Europe and failing to address the issues that matter to our constituents".
And she challenged MPs to back her ill-fated deal, saying: "That’s what the British people deserve. They deserve better than this House has given them so far. "
Mrs May's vow to bring forward a third meaningful vote comes despite Speaker John Bercow's move on Monday to cite Commons procedure that said the same motion could not be presented to the House more than once.
She said if another vote was not brought in "the House will have to decide how to proceed", adding: "But as Prime Minister I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30th June."
The PM’s move was later shouted down by Tory Brexiteer Peter Bone as “betraying the British people”.
It follows a reportedly angry backlash at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, with Brexiteer ministers warning they would not stand for a lengthy delay to the UK's departure from the EU.
'INTRANSIGENCE'
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the country was "in the midst of a full-scale national crisis" as he called on Mrs May to meet with him to find a way forward.
"Incompetence, failure and intransigence from the prime minister and her government have brought us to this point," he said.
"Parliament has rejected her deal. It’s rejected no-deal. The Prime Minister now has no plan. In an effort to break the deadlock I’ve held meetings with members all across the House.
"'m having further meetings today to find a compromise that supports jobs and living standards. Tomorrow I’m meeting EU Prime Ministers and officials in Brussels.
"This… is a national crisis. Will the Prime Minister meet me today to discuss our proposals as a way forward to get out of this crisis?"
Read the full text of the Prime Minister's letter to Donald Tusk below:
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