By Ben Kerrigan-
Britain’s new MEPs are stuck with the European Parliament , and will almost definitely participate, Downing Street has today admitted.
David Lidington,(pictured) Theresa May’s spokesman, has already confirmed that the UK will have to take part in the EU elections on 23 May because of the Government’s failure to deliver Brexit.
Earlier hopes the British Government had for the UK to leave the bloc by 30 June .Some senior Tory MP’s have been suggesting that colleagues who failed to back a Brexit deal should join other parties
“The PM deeply regrets that we haven’t left the EU on time, which was by 29 March, and that a consequence of that is that we will have to take part in the European elections,” May’s spokesman said. “She understands that many members of the public will feel great frustration at this.”
He expressed regret that parliament missed several opportunities to vote to leave the EU, adding that “but sadly none of those votes have passed. We now wish to see the withdrawal agreement introduced, and ratified by parliament, as soon as possible – and ideally before MEPs take their seats”, he said
Mr. Liddington later admitted he would push the exit date back to 1 August, meaning the MEPs would have to take their seats for a month. That would be yet another major embarrassment for Theresa May, who has already seen two Brexit deadlines come and go without success.
Her spokesman said: “In relation to parliamentary timetables, we will look to complete this ideally by 30 June, but if not then by the summer recess.”Former Ukip leader, Nigel Farage is currently tipped to win those elections in what could be a major embarrassment for the British Government . Parliament has the pressing pressure of pulling something out of the hat on the divisive issue of Brexit before then, without accepting a deal that could spell disaster for the Uk.