




EP Brexit Steering Group discussed today the state of play of Brexit in light of last week’s meaningful vote and Prime Minister May’s Statement last Monday.
It calls on the UK to clarify its position in the coming days.
European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group under the Chairmanship of its coordinator, Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), welcomed the Government’s decision to waive the fee for EU citizens applying for the UK’s settled status scheme, something the European Parliament has consistently pushed for. It called on the EU Member States to follow this example with respect to all UK citizens residing on their territory.
The BSG stressed that following the rejection by the House of Commons of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, the UK Government must work together with all political parties in the House of Commons to overcome this deadlock. It expects the UK side to come back as quickly as possible with a positive and viable proposal on the way forward.
The BSG reiterated that the Withdrawal Agreement is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. This applies especially to the backstop, since it is the guarantee that under no circumstances will there be a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland while at the same time safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market. The EU remains clear, firm and united on this even if the negotiated backstop is not meant to be used. Therefore, the BSG insists that, without such an “all-weather” backstop-insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement.
The BSG also reiterated Parliament’s long standing position that it is open to a much more ambitious future relationship, should the UK consider this. This would not only allow for a closer EU-UK future partnership but could also avoid deployment of the backstop. It expects greater clarity next week from the UK on its position on the EU-UK relationship for the future.
The BSG recognised that a rejection of the Agreement increases the chances of a disorderly exit of the UK, which cannot be mitigated by any form of specific arrangement(s) between the EU and the UK. It stressed that while a no deal exit would not be in anybody’s interests, the only responsible course of action remains to continue and to intensify work on no deal planning. It reiterated the European Parliament’s determination to ensure in such a case that there would be no disruption for EU citizens in the UK or for UK citizens in the EU.
Next steps
The BSG will reconvene immediately after the vote in the House of Commons on the 29 January to discuss the way forward, and the European Parliament will hold a debate at its sitting of 30-31 January.
Brexit Steering Group








I am utterly impressed by the way Prime Minister Theresa May have behaved and acted through her time in-charge of the Brexit and Her Majesties Government. No, I am just kidding, it has been shambolic and her endeavours has sadly enough been in vain. That was proven yet again today.
PM May of the Tories has steered a wobbly ship all along, there have never been really any trust or any significant change, where the levels of belief has ever come. The prolonged and long staying negotiations with Brussels has been tragic. The EU has gotten everything they need, while the UK has gotten scraps. Not even assurances of safety or possible options to change the agreement has arrived. As the EU is following protocol of a leaving Member State from the Union.
The Tories and HM Government has acted all out, but not coherent or in sync with reality. That has been seen all along. There have been no part, where the PM has been truthful. As she has reassured the public of getting the best deal, the deal that would deliver everything and give nothing away. While the real deal was really making London and the UK into a small-fry and Third Member State without much to grasp.
That is why she lost both the Tories and the Opposition today. She lost by the hugest margin in a long time. The Government lost the vote by a record amount of members and that also means a lot of own rebels who don’t accept the Brexit – Withdrawal Agreement, which was used so long to negotiate, but not leaving even leaving the House for another round. Therefore, the PM has lost a big one today.
She has already lost Financial Bill and Amendments since before Christmas 2018. The Opposition has had the upper-hand and it seems to continue. As the Labour Party are able to table a No Confidence in the Government today as well. A double blow, as the Tories haven’t been able to legally deliver and agree upon a Withdrawal Agreement, which was supposed to be made by the end date of March 2019. Therefore, the time table is short and the reality should be hitting the UK.
Today, again, PM May has lost it. The Tories is in the wind. They are really at the high seas, but in reality, they are really not able to stem the tide.
This Brexit due date is on 29th March, PM May notified the EU on the 29th March 2017. That means that within the 2 years since the notification. The PM wasn’t able to deliver the Brexit. The Mission she got after PM David Cameron resigned after losing his Brexit Vote. Maybe, time for May for do the same. Even she doesn’t have it in her, as she has gotten No Confidence Vote within the Tories already at least twice within the two years. Still, she is there and not really trustworthy.
How will it be, the last two months into the final date? Who knows? But it cannot be worse than now. As the Tories and government have no control, the Tories are all walking dead and trying to configure something, without succeeding. They are working against the clock, but not doing it productive. They have wasted all this time and because of today’s vote. They have gotten nowhere. Which is impressive.
PM May knows this, the whole of UK knows this and whole of Europe too. We are looking and wondering. What is wrong with the British? Other then their egos and bad teeth? Also, their lack of good governance and lack of proper planning, as this could be foreseen a long time ago. Never sounding like the Tories and their Brexiteers would deliver anything worth voting Yay for in Parliament. Since, they were more promising gold, but only giving shiny objects.
That is why we are here today. Another loss for May. Another bad day for the Tories. And another nail-biter tomorrow. Not strength, not brilliance or control, just wiggling on the edge without a safety-net. That is what PM May does for a living. Who can wonder how much longer that can continue?
How much patience does the British people have? What shall it take for the British to act and wonder when the foolery should be over? Because, that time on the clock should have been ticked already. Peace.






