UK Set To Hold European Elections As May Requests Brexit Extension

The UK Government is preparing to hold European elections after Theresa May formally requested an extension of the Brexit process until June 30th.

In her letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, Theresa May said it was “frustrating” that the UK Government has been unable to bring the process to “a successful and orderly conclusion.”

She admitted that the extension will mean the UK has a “legal obligation” to hold elections to the European Parliament.

UK Government preparing to hold European elections as May formally requests further #Brexit extension: https://t.co/KdPkKIb0Ty pic.twitter.com/OtqNBomUJp

— Mick Staines (@shhtick) April 5, 2019

She said her Government is now “undertaking the lawful and responsible preparations” for the elections and will set a date for them.

“I am writing to inform the European Council that the United Kingdom is seeking a further extension,” she wrote.

“The United Kingdom proposes that this period should end on 30th June 2019.

“If the parties are able to ratify before this date, the government proposes that the period should be terminated early.”

European Council President Donald Tusk shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May, 24-11-2018. Image: Xinhua/European Union

She said the Government still aims to get the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement passed in time to cancel the European elections. In order for that to happen, the UKs withdrawal from the EU must be complete by May 23rd.

It comes as the European Council President Donald Tusk reportedly prepares to offer the UK a 12-month "flexible extension" to the Brexit process.

Mr Tusk’s plan would also allow the UK to leave sooner if it ratifies the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The plan would have to be unanimously ratified by the remaining EU27 at the European Council next week – with a number of leaders sceptical about offering any extension without a clear pathway forward.

European Council President Donald Tusk speaks during a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 21, 2019. Worn down by three years of indecision in London, EU leaders on Thursday were grudgingly leaning toward giving the U.K. more time to ease itself out of the bloc. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Mr Tusk is reportedly set to tell leaders that a flexible extension is the “only reasonable way out” and would avoid the need to consider extra delays every few weeks.

Talks between Mrs May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn aimed at agreeing a compromise way forward are due to continue today.

Yesterday's meeting was described by Downing Street as "detailed and productive."