Brexit’s timetable ‘remains intact’
Print Edition
BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May sought yesterday to reassure European Union leaders that her timetable for Britain to leave the EU remains intact despite a court ruling requiring lawmakers to have more of a say in the next step toward Brexit.
She telephoned Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU’s top official, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to spread the word that her plan was still to start the process to remove the United Kingdom from the EU by the end of March.
Officials said she would also call French President Francois Hollande and European Council President Donald Tusk.
Juncker, the European Commission President, told May that he respected Britain’s constitutional order and that the timing of Brexit was in the hands of British authorities.
The calls came a day after a High Court ruling that the government needs Parliament’s approval before invoking Article 50 of the EU treaty, which formally begins a two-year countdown to Britain’s exit. The decision by the three-man court has the potential to delay that process.
The government is appealing the ruling at the Supreme Court with a hearing expected next month. If the country’s highest court rules against the government, Parliament will become directly involved in discussions over how the Brexit process begins.
A number of lawmakers from opposition parties, in particular, have made clear they want assurances from the government that it won’t be going for a so-called “hard Brexit” that will see Britain leave the European single market of more than 500 million people.
The court decision on Thursday has stoked speculation that May will look to call an early general election next spring. Her Conservative Party stands to win an overwhelming majority, according to a run of opinion polls.
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