Donald Tusk says he’s preparing for the UK to REMAIN in EU if Theresa May loses crunch Brexit vote
In an incendiary intervention, the EU Council chief said there was no chance EU leaders would renegotiate the PM’s deal
BRUSSELS is preparing for Britain to REMAIN in the EU if Theresa May loses her crunch Brexit vote, Donald Tusk revealed yesterday.
In an incendiary intervention, the EU Council chief said there was no chance that EU leaders would renegotiate the PM’s agreement.
And speaking at the G20 in Argentina, he said if the Commons rejects it, the UK would be left with No Deal, or No Brexit.
He added: “I want to reassure you that the EU is prepared for every scenario.”
The move incensed Brexiteers who accused the Eurocrat of “arrogant meddling”. Arch Eurosceptic Iain Duncan Smith said: “Advice from someone none of the British public voted for should be put in the bin.”
But just hours later Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell delighted pro-EU campaigners by insisting that ‘Remain’ would have to be on the ballot paper in a second Referendum.
He told Talk Radio there should be an option to “throw the whole thing out and stop Brexit altogether”.
The double whammy piled pressure on Theresa May – who is facing a crushing defeat in the Commons on December 11 with more than 100 Tory MPs poised to vote against her proposed deal with Brussels.
The PM’s official spokesman yesterday insisted Mr Tusk’s remarks echoed previous statements where he had expressed his sorrow that Britain was leaving. He added: “The Prime Minister is very clear, we are leaving the European Union on March 29.”
But Mr Tusk’s comments echo a veiled threat from Mrs May in recent days to rebel Tories – where she has warned a vote against her deal could prevent Brexit altogether.
Speaking to a mutinous House of Commons on Monday she said: “No one knows what will happen if this deal doesn’t pass.”
May pulls out of satellite plan
THERESA May has abandoned plans to keep Britain in the EU’s Galileo satellite programme — blaming the European Commission’s decision to “bar” the UK’s full involvement.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Yesterday in Argentina, the PM took the startling step of warning her furious Brexiteer Tories they were threatening their own constituents’ jobs if they vote against her.
This was backed by a Tory Party social media campaign where members of the public urge MPs to support her deal.
Trade Secretary Liam Fox yesterday warned a “schism” could open up between Parliament and the rest of the country.
And he said Donald Tusk’s comments brought the choices facing MPs “into stark relief”. He said: “For me, failing to honour the referendum would not only be undemocratic, but I think it would be quite dangerous in terms of the way that the public view the political establishment in the United Kingdom.
“I think if the public vote for Brexit, and Parliament were to try and steal that from the British public, then I think that would create a real schism between Parliament and the electorate.”
- Got a story for the Sun Politics team? We pay for your stories. Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours