‘London, please deliver’: EU leaders react to possible Brexit delay following John Bercow ruling
EU leaders have hit back at the "unacceptable" uncertainty around Brexit stirred by John Bercow's decision to block a third meaningful vote on Theresa May's withdrawal agreement.
France's Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau said an extension to Article 50 – the mechanism that allows the UK to leave the EU – without an "objective or strategy" would be pointless.
Bercow's shock decision to rule out a meaningful vote three has been interpreted by some as the precursor to a long extension to Article 50, which some Brexiters fear could jeopardise Brexit by allowing more time for a second referendum or general election.
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Speaking to reports ahead of the EU general affairs council this morning, Loiseau said: "We need an initiative, we need something new because if it’s an extension to remain in the same deadlock [that would be unacceptable.] How do we get out of this deadlock? This is a question for the British authorities.
On a possible extension to Article 50, she said "time is not a solution, it's a method".
Her concerns were echoed by Germany's Europe minister, Michael Roth, who said he expected "clear and precise proposals" as to why it would be seeking a delay to Brexit.
"The clock is ticking and time is running out," he said.
"[We are] really exhausted by these negotiations. And I expect clear and precise proposals [from] the British government why such an extension is necessary.
Read more: 'Constitutional crisis' as Bercow blocks another vote on May's Brexit deal
"It is not just a game. It is an extremely serious situation, not just for the people in the United Kingdom, but for the people in the European Union.
"I don’t have any appetite for substance-less, very abstract discussions and negotiations on the Brexit. Please deliver, dear friends in London, please deliver. The clock is ticking."