Brexit After EU Parliament Elections May Bring Totally New Leave Terms For UK - Campaigner

A delay in Brexit beyond the date of the European Parliament elections in May might mean totally new terms of leaving for the United Kingdom, given that euroskeptics are expected to score high at the vote the scenario, which the European Commission is now trying to avoid, Brendan Chilton, the general secretary of Labour Leave, told Sputnik

GENOA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) A delay in Brexit beyond the date of the European Parliament elections in May might mean totally new terms of leaving for the United Kingdom, given that euroskeptics are expected to score high at the vote the scenario, which the European Commission is now trying to avoid, Brendan Chilton, the general secretary of Labour Leave, told Sputnik.

Chilton believes that the upcoming elections to the European Parliament could change the political composition of this body, because many euroskeptic politicians are expected to be elected.

According to the politician, the UK seats have been relocated to politicians from other EU states, and thus, it is important to prevent the extension to Article 50 beyond the election date, "because then under the EU law we would be required to participate, and that would be a rather peculiar position, given the fact that the departing nation will still have representation in the parliament."

Chilton expressed confidence that the European Commission is interested in having Brexit done "nice and early" within the current composition of the European Parliament.

"And I think they want to get Brexit dealt with in this parliamentary session, so in the next parliamentary session they can focus on trying to maintain their failed projects, because, of course, if we have a euroskeptic parliament and Britain departing, we are likely to get far better terms, because many of those new members of the European Parliament will also want they own respective countries to leave, in particular, Italy, Hungary and Poland," Chilton said.

The UK House of Commons has rejected the withdrawal deal agreed by the UK government and the European Union twice. The parliament has voted against a no-deal Brexit, but in favor of an exit delay.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed earlier in the day that she had written to European Council President Donald Tusk to inform him that London would seek a Brexit extension until June 30. Tusk responded he believes a short Brexit extension possible, but conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal deal in the UK House of Commons.