Brexit latest: Brussels figures edge towards backing 31 January extension
Two key Brussels figures have indicated they would back a full extension to the Brexit process, until 31 January.
The move comes as Labour confirms that a three month delay would be long enough for the party to back an General Election.
Leo Varadkar, Irish Taoiseach, spoke with Donald Tusk this morning, where he backed the European Council president’s suggestion the EU should agree to extend Article 50 until early next year.
The two men noted that it would still be possible for the UK to leave the EU before that point, if the Brexit legislation has been ratified in time.
Shortly before that, new president of the European Parliament David Sassoli also said the EU27 should accept the Brexit extension until 31 January.
Sassoli, who visited Downing Street earlier this month, said the extension request would “allow the United Kingdom to clarify its position and the European Parliament to exercise its role.”
Both the EU and UK parliaments must ratify the agreement before it can proceed.
Sassoli said: “After the vote of the British Parliament to allow more time to examine details of the withdrawal agreement and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to pause the bill following the vote, the British government’s request for an extension until January 31 remains on the table.
“I think it is advisable, as requested by President Donald Tusk, that the European Council should accept this extension.”
Last night Tusk said he would “recommend the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension”. Although he stopped short of stipulating the length of time, the request sent begrudgingly by Johnson on Saturday night sets out the three month delay.
If an extension until early next year does go ahead, that will make the chances of a General Election before Christmas more likely.
Labour has insisted it will only agree to go to the polls once a “no deal is off the table”. A party source confirmed to Morning Wire that if a 31 January extension was granted, that would be “long enough to hold an election”.
Yesterday Boris Johnson threatened to pull the Brexit legislation known as the Withdrawal Agreement and pursue an election if MPs did not back the fast-track timetable in order to pave the way for a Brexit by 31 October, the date he has repeatedly committed to.
But while the government won backing on the second reading of the WAB, MPs refused to toe the line on the programme motion – putting the future of the process back in the hands of the EU.
Leaders of the other 27 member states are expected to give Tusk the yey-or-ney on an extension imminently. However, they could also agree a shorter extension to get the bill scrutinised, without sufficient time for an election, over fears it could further drag on.
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