No one in Europe would oppose extension to Brexit talks - Juncker

[webfact]

No one in Europe would oppose extension to Brexit talks - Juncker

 

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker speaks during a plenary session of the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 30, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - No one in Europe would oppose a British demand for an extension of talks on Britain's exit from the European Union beyond the March 29 deadline, the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told the Stuttgarter Zeitung in an interview.

 

With only weeks left to the exit date, Britain's parliament does not want to accept the withdrawal agreement that has been reached between Prime Minister Theresa May and the EU, and many EU officials see postponing the exit date as the only way to avoid Britain crashing out without any deal.

 

"Any decision to ask for more time lies with the UK. If such a request were to be made, no one in Europe would oppose it. If you are asking for how long the withdrawal can be postponed, I have no time frame in mind," Juncker told the German newspaper.

 

Many EU officials note that elections to the European Parliament on May 23-26 and the first sitting of the new parliament at the start of July creates a natural time-limit for any extension, which should not go beyond end of June.

 

Juncker also indicated a longer extension could be problematic, but did not exclude it.

 

"With Brexit so many timetables have already gone by the wayside. But I find it hard to imagine that British voters would again vote in the European elections. That to my mind would be an irony of history. Yet I cannot rule it out," he said.

 

"When it comes to Brexit, it is like being before the courts or on the high seas; we are in God's hands. And we can never quite be sure when God will take the matter in hand."

 

(Reporting By Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-19

[Laughing Gravy]

The plan unfolds. How surprising. Yes keep the UK in the EU. Get all the Japanese motor industries who now have minimal tariffs, Then close the car plants in the UK, especially as nobody wants diesel cars anymore and blame it on Brexit. 

 

I am sure Juncker thinks this is a master plan and nobody could see it coming. He probably thinks the UK people will come begging to rejoin the EU. How wrong he is.

 

[AlexRich]

There is simply no time left to get the legislation through so it is simply inevitable that there will be an extension to Article 50. 

 

When Japanese companies locate they make a long-term commitment, they are not fly-by-night merchants. So when Honda sets up in a city, and that city votes Brexit, and the Government can give no reassurances, the Japanese no longer feel that they are obligated ... and leave. It's not just 3,500 jobs, it's the suppliers and the local merchants that serve those workers ... Swindon will soon be a ghost town, just like Linwood in Scotland was in the 1970's when the car factory closed down.

 

For Swindon's Brexit voting populace project fear has suddenly become project reality. They're finally getting what they voted for. And "they don't like it up em"!

[Samui Bodoh]

53 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

The plan unfolds. How surprising. Yes keep the UK in the EU. Get all the Japanese motor industries who now have minimal tariffs, Then close the car plants in the UK, especially as nobody wants diesel cars anymore and blame it on Brexit. 

 

I am sure Juncker thinks this is a master plan and nobody could see it coming. He probably thinks the UK people will come begging to rejoin the EU. How wrong he is.

 

 

You've nailed the conspiracy! All of Brexit has been a secret master plan to humiliate the UK.

 

Beware! Beware! Juncker is under your bed! He is hiding in your closet! He has bugged your flat!

 

Wow. I am speechless.

 

I have always thought that keeping the UK in the EU was good for everyone, but now I am not so sure. Perhaps the EU is better off without the UK...

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

The plan unfolds. How surprising. Yes keep the UK in the EU. Get all the Japanese motor industries who now have minimal tariffs, Then close the car plants in the UK, especially as nobody wants diesel cars anymore and blame it on Brexit. 

 

I am sure Juncker thinks this is a master plan and nobody could see it coming. He probably thinks the UK people will come begging to rejoin the EU. How wrong he is.

 

It seems you recognize others might find plans useful (albieit In your ‘Conspiracy plans’).

 

Imagine If you’d have adjectives see the ‘Brexit Plan’ before voting for it and investing so much of your emotional energy in this planless folly?!

[wreckingcountry]

But “Drunkerd Juncker” said that there was no more negotiation on his mafia EU “deal” ! What’s changed ! All it’s about is an attempt to stop a country leaving its European racketeering club !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[steve187]

what is the point of extending if as the EU have repeatedly said they will not renegotiate the agreed deal

[terryw]

The EU might not object to an extension, but 17.4 million UK voters will object.

 

Any extension will reflect a failure of UK policy and have a negative effect on local elections in May.

[OneMoreFarang]

The Brits had two years to make up their mind. And until now they were obviously not able to have a majority for any form of Brexit. A few weeks ago they decided they need an alternative. And the alternative is obviously that the EU should change their mind.

But the EU won't change their mind. The EU told them from the very beginning the possible options and they explained all along the impossible options. You can't have the cake and eat it!

If there is no 2nd referendum or new elections or something else radical what will change? Nothing! They will kick the can down the street a little longer. And after 3 or 6 or 12 months nothing changed.

I hope the EU gives them only an extension if a new referendum is scheduled. Otherwise let them go, with or with out deal. It's their problem.

[OneMoreFarang]

3 minutes ago, terryw said:

The EU might not object to an extension, but 17.4 million UK voters will object.

 

Any extension will reflect a failure of UK policy and have a negative effect on local elections in May.

They are a failure - with or without any extension.

[sammieuk1]

1 hour ago, AlexRich said:

There is simply no time left to get the legislation through so it is simply inevitable that there will be an extension to Article 50. 

 

When Japanese companies locate they make a long-term commitment, they are not fly-by-night merchants. So when Honda sets up in a city, and that city votes Brexit, and the Government can give no reassurances, the Japanese no longer feel that they are obligated ... and leave. It's not just 3,500 jobs, it's the suppliers and the local merchants that serve those workers ... Swindon will soon be a ghost town, just like Linwood in Scotland was in the 1970's when the car factory closed down.

 

For Swindon's Brexit voting populace project fear has suddenly become project reality. They're finally getting what they voted for. And "they don't like it up em"!

Hey I'm a Swindonian and had a short time at Honda driving Civics around their test track BMW has Mini pressing plant is also there on the site of the Old Rover plant its 3,500 workers plus I think from memory 5-1 in the supply chain around 20,000 in all and the mugs voted for Brexit hopefully my townsfolk will march on parliament and haul back Boris Gove and Faranatang to slay them on the town end steps of STFC and pile the body's on Juncker's desk to now get a deal ????

[Grouse]

The EU seems to have infinite patience with its delinquent but retarded family member!

 

In response to the comments above:-

 

1) There is no majority in favor of Brexit anymore

 

2) The EU will not reopen the agreement unless some or all May's "red lines" are removed

 

3) A one year extension will keep all options open and give time for proper discussion of the options which is obviously appropriate for decisions of such importance.

[dick dasterdly]

48 minutes ago, steve187 said:

what is the point of extending if as the EU have repeatedly said they will not renegotiate the agreed deal

Exactly!

 

This surely has to be the most important reason why extending the leave date is pretty pointless?

 

I can understand why politicians prefer to keep kicking the can down the road, but it only benefits the uk if they (finally....) use the time to put leave preparations in place - and, if this is the intent of the uk govt., you can be sure that the eu wouldn't agree to an extension.

[alant]

2 minutes ago, Grouse said:

The EU seems to have infinite patience with its delinquent but retarded family member!

 

In response to the comments above:-

 

1) There is no majority in favor of Brexit anymore

 

2) The EU will not reopen the agreement unless some or all May's "red lines" are removed

 

3) A one year extension will keep all options open and give time for proper discussion of the options which is obviously appropriate for decisions of such importance.

In response to your points;

1) There is no way of knowing if the UK has reversed its vote in favour of Brexit today. This point cannot be regarded as valid.

2) If May removes all Red Lines she basically is saying lets stay which as pro remain she may wish but getting that through parliament would be difficult.

3) As you look for the removal of May's  "red lines" as a precondition of an extension this would not allow discussion of the options

 

[Loiner]

2 hours ago, AlexRich said:

There is simply no time left to get the legislation through so it is simply inevitable that there will be an extension to Article 50. 

 

Thanks to Yvette Cooper actually, the only necessary legislation is already in place. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 Section 20 (1) states: “exit day” means 29 March 2019 at 11.00 p.m."

Nothing else needed.

[samran]

3 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

The plan unfolds. How surprising. Yes keep the UK in the EU. Get all the Japanese motor industries who now have minimal tariffs, Then close the car plants in the UK, especially as nobody wants diesel cars anymore and blame it on Brexit. 

 

I am sure Juncker thinks this is a master plan and nobody could see it coming. He probably thinks the UK people will come begging to rejoin the EU. How wrong he is.

 

Wasn’t a free trade deal with the EU going to be the easiest thing in the world to negotiate? 

 

The only people to blame for the slow motion car crash are yourselves for not having economic plan A, let alone B, C or D.

 

And no, hard brexit is not a plan, it is a cop out (unless you count the middle finger approach to economic policy as ‘planning’).

 

 

[allane]

And if the UK is not out the door on the 29th, it should be kicked out on the 30th. An extension ? To what end ?

UK;  "We're leaving !"

EU:  "Is that a threat, or a promise ?"

41, 40, 39,...

    

      

[baboon]

1 hour ago, terryw said:

The EU might not object to an extension, but 17.4 million UK voters will object.

Tough. Take it up with the people who brought you the referendum and who now can't agree among themselves what the result meant. By all means punish them at the local elections but you won't.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

what is the point of extending if as the EU have repeatedly said they will not renegotiate the agreed deal

One very obvious point would be to give the UK more time to come to terms with the mess Brexit is.

 

The British government cannot Get Brexit through Parliament, they (the British Government) need more time.

 

Absolutley nothing to do with the EU.

[Henryford]

Of course they won't object. It's tantamount to saying we are staying in the EUSSR.

[Loiner]

No one in Europe would oppose a British demand for an extension of talks on Britain's exit from the European Union beyond the March 29 deadline, the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told the Stuttgarter Zeitung in an interview.

 

This is EU doublespeak for "Please stay and keep paying us." Why would a UK 'demand' for extension of talks be possible to discuss what he has already deemed nonnegotiable? The idea of there being no opposition among the other 27 members is also dubious - there would undoubtedly be a free for all in side demands eg French fishing, Spainish Gibralta, Polish whatever...... and the rest.

[maingmoom]

Please don't give us an extension. We don't want it. The majority , 17.4 million people voted to leave with or without a deal, but the government are still trying to cheat us by trying to stay in.

[Ulic]

Delay= more money from the UK and continued uncertainty. Companies can take good news and bad news they can't take no news. Delay is actually the worse possible outcome for the UK and business. Business needs to plan, and they can't make plans when they don't know what is going to happen. This is what is causing companies to leave. With the EU companies know what is going on. No change there.

[Henryford]

Can you imagine arguing over Brexit for another 2-3 years OMG.

[Laughing Gravy]

2 hours ago, samran said:

Wasn’t a free trade deal with the EU going to be the easiest thing in the world to negotiate? 

 

The only people to blame for the slow motion car crash are yourselves for not having economic plan A, let alone B, C or D.

 

And no, hard brexit is not a plan, it is a cop out (unless you count the middle finger approach to economic policy as ‘planning’).

 

 

Hard Brexit is a word made up by remainers. Brexit meant leave the CU, leave the SM and ECJ.

 

Stop using that old chestnut. Brexit is what people voted whatever you put in front of it.

 

Just get a brexiteer in charge and then all you remainers can take off you tin foil hats and see the UK leave the EU. As was promised.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Hard Brexit is a word made up by remainers. Brexit meant leave the CU, leave the SM and ECJ.

 

Stop using that old chestnut. Brexit is what people voted whatever you put in front of it.

 

Just get a brexiteer in charge and then all you remainers can take off you tin foil hats and see the UK leave the EU. As was promised.

You conveniently ‘forget’ David David (arch Brexiteer) was tasked with negotiating Brexit - he failed.

 

And... erm.... where’s that ‘Plan B’ Rees-Mog, Johnson, Fox and Davis promised to present so many months back?

 

At the heart of Brexit is the belief that when the world isn’t exactly as the Brexiteer wishes it to be, it’s always someone else’s fault.

[welovesundaysatspace]

5 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

The plan unfolds. How surprising. Yes keep the UK in the EU. Get all the Japanese motor industries who now have minimal tariffs, Then close the car plants in the UK, especially as nobody wants diesel cars anymore and blame it on Brexit. 

 

I am sure Juncker thinks this is a master plan and nobody could see it coming. He probably thinks the UK people will come begging to rejoin the EU. How wrong he is.

Brexit, a big conspiracy plan? And you decided to play the main actor? 

 

3 hours ago, steve187 said:

what is the point of extending if as the EU have repeatedly said they will not renegotiate the agreed deal

I agree. Normally one would say it is reasonable to give the UK more time to get their shit together. But since  there is no willingness from anyone to leave their hardline positions and find a compromise, this would be just another waste of time and resources. The EU has been way too patient and nice by allowing this circus to happen. 

 

So, an extension, of the UK wants so, should only be granted if it comes with a second, so that everyone can be sure that there is a clear majority for something and a willingness in parliament to make a call. Or a long extension of say 2-3 years, that can be used to prepare a no-deal exit. 

 

3 hours ago, terryw said:

The EU might not object to an extension, but 17.4 million UK voters will object.

Did you hold another referendum or was it your Chrystal ball that said so? 

 

 

[evadgib]

Nothing seen elsewhere this morning gives any cause for concern; I'm looking forward to the latest Moggcast as he always seems to hit the nail on the head.

In the meantime...

 

[welovesundaysatspace]

18 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Hard Brexit is a word made up by remainers. Brexit meant leave the CU, leave the SM and ECJ.

That’s what brexiteers make up. Nothing of that was mentioned on the ballot paper. It only said to leave the EU, nothing about CU, SM, ECJ, hard or soft Brexit, BRINO and all the other nonsense Brexiters make up these days.

 

[Laughing Gravy]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You conveniently ‘forget’ David David (arch Brexiteer) was tasked with negotiating Brexit - he failed.

Everyone knows Ollie Robbins the arch remainer is leading the so called brexit negoitations. That is why David Davies and Dominic Rhaab both resigned as Brexit ministers.

 

Come on keep up with the program

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And... erm.... where’s that ‘Plan B’ Rees-Mog, Johnson, Fox and Davis promised to present so many months back?

I think you will find they did with a Canada +++ but the arch remainer Theresa May is sticking with her crap plan hoping that that there will be  a deadlock and she will either call another referendum or hope that MP's will deliver her BRINO.

 

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

At the heart of Brexit is the belief that when the world isn’t exactly as the Brexiteer wishes it to be, it’s always someone else’s fault.

Deliver what was promised by David Cameron. Leave the CU, SM and ECJ and brexiteer's will be happy. Simple.