Statement by Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Member of the EP Steering group on Brexit, following the European Council that took place on 21 March 2019, in Brussels,

Brussels

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

statement

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

European Council meeting 21-22 March 2019 (T)

European Council: Statement by Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Member of the EP Steering group on Brexit following the Council's decision

SOUNDBITE (English), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), First that what we have from Prime Minister May is a conditional request. So the only answer that is possible is a conditional answer. She says 'well I want a short extension until end of June, if the vote passes muster with House of Commons. Well we will see whether it passes. But then what we may see is what Donald Tusk said yesterday. If the withdrawal agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week, then a short extension is possible. But probably an extension that would stop right before the European election just to avoid any confusion. And I think this is a sound reaction. So if the Council decides that today fine by me.

This is precisely why I'm saying Instead of conceding the 30th of June it should be a shorter one. It should be one that ends the 23/05 or something like that. I think that we have to avoid any extension that bridges the European election. Unless, unless we have a clear strategy from Prime minister May, but that strategy so far has been: "Okay, I'm running down the clock and I hope that these stupid MP's will come to their senses". No, I don't think that the MP's are stupid; if they voted against this is for a reason. You may like or dislike their reasons but they have reasons to vote against. If the third vote is again a negative vote then of course it's about time that Prime Minister May find another strategy.

And if she doesn't, well, someone else has to. And that someone else can be the House of Commons itself to take hold of the process and to decide how to proceed. If we have a justified request for a longer extension, then we can discuss it, but only on the basis of a plan. To me the discussion should not be about the duration, the discussion should be about which plan. What is the plan that can enjoy a majority in the House of Commons. That is a crucial thing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Again please do not forget that basically the British people are split right down the middle about staying or leaving. And it's quite well my message to the British citizens who say as long as the UK is a member state, UK has to send MEP is in Brussels. And on the day you will have left - if it happens - then of course no MEP is any longer. But unless you have left, well you are a member, and if you're a member you abide by all the rules.

We're not there yet. So we will see what what comes out of next week's events. Obviously Theresa May is playing is running down the clock and wants to to to use the time pressure. To get her way. I'm not sure that the best strategy. But that's a strategy she has chosen and I'm not the British Prime minister.