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LAST UPDATE | 25 Oct 2019
EU AMBASSADORS HAVE agreed in principle to a Brexit extension but have postponed a decision on exactly how long it will last for.
Their final decision has been slated for early next week but it may not come in time for UK politicians to make a decision on holding an election.
The EU is keen not to appear to be influencing House of Commons votes but Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party has said it must first know what kind of extension is being granted.
While no decision has been made on the length of an extension, it’s believed that EU leaders are looking at a so-called ‘flextension’ to the end of January 2020, allowing the UK leave the bloc when there is agreement in parliament.
A vote on whether a UK election is to be held is to be taken on Monday.
In Brussels, diplomats from the 27 member states agreed that the final decision could be made by written procedure, meaning there will be no emergency summit to discuss the matter.
After a meeting between the diplomats and EU negotiator Michel Barnier this morning, European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said “work will continue in coming days”.
“The EU 27 ambassadors just finished their meeting and indeed the attendance of the Commission’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier,” she said at a short briefing.
What I can tell you is that the EU 27 have agreed to the principle of an extension and now work will continue in the coming days. The intention is to take this decision by written procedure but for any further questions I would refer you to the Council.
Two diplomats told AFP that the ambassadors set an informal deadline of late Monday or early Tuesday to decide — just two days before the current Brexit deadline of 31 October.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has recommended EU leaders approve an extension until 31 January 2020.
But, with France pushing for a shorter delay to keep the pressure on Westminster, and Germany and Ireland backing a three-month pause until 31 January, the decision is not done.
“Depending on how things evolve in the UK, we’ve given ourselves until the start of next week,” a senior diplomat said.
“It’s clear that if a decision is taken in the UK on whether or not to hold an election — the date of the election will weigh on the consultations,” he said.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have been trading barbs over the UK airwaves today as Johnson seeks to win support for the holding of a December election.
Labour looks set to block Johnson’s bid for a pre-Christmas election with Corbyn arguing that a no-deal Brexit must first be taken off the table.
The stalemate has led to a situation where the UK parliament is waiting for an extension decision while EU leaders are waiting on parliament’s decision before making their own.
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There’s a part of me that wants to see them kicked out with no deal but…I also know that would be damaging for us as a nation.
@Kian David Griffin: I think most Irish feel the same way.
@Rebecca De Stanleigh: if you take a global view then us hoping ill well on our neighbors (despite our history , this is acknowledgeing our troubled past) for me is akin to the night king coming with the army of the dead while the smaller clans do battle.
@Kian David Griffin: thats very short sighted as many in the UK wouldnt vote for Brexit now they see where it will lead, postponing the extension puts a lie to all the EU statements on protecting the European Union, the EU leaders are propping up boris johnson and his government by not helping removing the threat of a no deal, the EU should extend the brexit deadline immediately to remove the threat of a no deal, both Johnsons government and the EU are pushing the UK into a johnson deal or a no deal, when every effort should be made to keep the UK in our Union.
@Matthew O’Kane: You don’t know if people would vote for Brexit or not What inside do you have that no one else has
@Kian David Griffin:
I agree ..but France making a problem because UK business invest 80 billions into France in their preparation to continue do business with europe and now this investments are on stand down and France want to profit from it. Now they want Britain out as soon as possible,
I think it would be best if no extension is offered, rumor has it that the opposition will again vote against a GE.
Let no deal happen, most the negotiation is done with the last deal so it wouldn’t take much to sort out when minds have been properly focused & status formally established.
@Mick Byrne: they will vote against an election until no deal is ruled out . Wouldn’t put it past Boris to promise no deal get an election and crash out before the election he has broken every promise he has ever made .
@Mick Byrne: completely disagree, postpone or blocking an extension puts a lie to all the EU statements on protecting the European Union, the EU leaders are propping up boris johnson and his government by not helping removing the threat of a no deal, the EU should extend the brexit deadline immediately to remove the threat of a no deal, both Johnsons government and the EU are pushing the UK into a johnson deal or a no deal, when every effort should be made to keep the UK in our Union.
Absolutely no doubt about extending. All about reversing democracy. Gotta be EU way…
@Willy Mc Bride: Makes a change from the “Hotel California” repeated statement.
@Willy Mc Bride: Willy….willy….willy….you’re still at the. You still dont understand the difference between the EC and EU and are making a fool of yourself yet again.
@Stephen Devlin: It is hotel EU..
You can never leave..
@Willy Mc Bride:
Explain how EU is reversing democracy…
The EU is just acting like adults and the UK has discovered they promised a load of lies in a referendum which they can’t deliver… Boris was the one that said this would all be easy and EU would be clambering to have a free trade deal with UK.
The truth is that the leavers can’t find a solution which holds up to remaining if put to a democratic vote…
So please stop embarrassing yourself by being so anti-democratic
@Willy Mc Bride: Absolutely Willy. The EU have no respect for democracy.
@John: John’s back. Did you finally catch your bus?
@Willy Mc Bride: They can leave, nobody is holding them against their will.
@John: Democracy is held with the UK. The only thing the EU have to action is their side of any deal (already done) and approve or deny any extension requests coming from the UK. Saying that the UK can’t leave is utter tripe.
@Edmund Murphy: looks like willy and john could be the same troll.
By all accounts, appears 26 of the EU 27 were prepared to offer the January extension, but Macron is holding out for November 15th.
@Paul Culloty: haven’t said it a lot, but fully agree with Macron on this.
What does another extension actually achieve?
A deal was offered, either accept it or don’t.
Even if they hold a GE and another referendum and Remain wins. No way will Farage and co disappear (well maybe in disgust). Macron’s suggestion is very sensible for resolving this.
Breaking news UK couldn’t organize a piss up in brewery let alone leaving the EU
After the last 6 month extension, Teresa May resigned and it took the Tories nearly 3 months to elect BoJo. Then they all went on holidays and came back in September to focus on Brexit for 6 weeks. 6 weeks in an 6 month extension. Macron is right. Nothing will happen because they are all playing politics instead of working together. The Tories won’t compromise as their party will split so there is no hope unless there is new referendum or a newly elected majority government! It is up to the government to try and bring everybody together and get a consensus. This has never happened to their shame.
In fairness no point in rushing things
Anybody know what the odds are in Paddy Power at the moment for there being a 2nd referendum within the next year?
@JamesyBaby: 9/1 or something. Maybe better.
@milton friedman: or sorry, worse as odds go
@JamesyBaby: All I know is I backed it at 11/1 at the start of this year but it has to happen this year…..!!
@colm mc sweeney: Ha ha you will lose your money
Of course the EU will give an extension. They dont want them leaving, full stop. It’s like the Hotel California. You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave!!
@Ryan: no it’s not. One is a overplayed song, the other relates to people, travel and trade rights, small business costs ,potential revival of troubles etc. But you quote away some daft cliche
If they can’t decide for the last 7 months, they can’t decide for the next 3 months.
Extension only long enough for the UK to have a general election, let the public decide if they still want a Brexit managed by the Tories or if they want one at all….
The EU has stood by our small nations side don’t knock them
Noooooooo!
Breaking new Britain couldn’t organize a *iss up in brewery
Its seems the eu dont want the uk to leave and the uk want to leave but dont want a deal
Brexit will not happen – stop feeding in to this media lunatic frenzy!
this puts a lie to all the EU statements on protecting the European Union, the EU leaders are propping up boris johnson and his government by not helping removing the threat of a no deal, the EU should extend the brexit deadline immediately to remove the threat of a no deal, both Johnsons government and the EU are pushing the UK into a johnson deal or a no deal, when every effort should be made to keep the UK in our Union.
Sorry that’s my Migraine, should have been Eyes to the Right ~ a pain in the ass.
@Rosie: don’t worry it’s still not funny
Eyes to the left ~ A bloody Migraine Eyes to the Left ~ a pain in the ass.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Now the EU are the messers. What are they afraid of?
Now it would seem the EU are scared. Full of bravado until they actually have to make a decision that would surely speed up the whole process. It’s embarrassing
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