We’ll be out of Europe on March 29, 2019! May will trigger Article 50 next Wednesday to begin the historic divorce process from the EU
Theresa May will take the historic step of triggering Brexit on March 29, Downing Street announced today.
The Prime Minister has informed the EU that it can expect the letter formally invoking Article 50 to begin the divorce proceedings on that date.
They are scheduled to run for two years – making March 29, 2019 the date that Britain will be out of the EU.
Mrs May will make a statement to the Commons the same day, No10 said.
The news comes as tensions escalate with Brussels ahead of the looming negotiations.
There are fears the talks could quickly turn nasty – with Downing Street insisting Mrs May is ready to ‘walk away’ if there is an attempt to punish us for leaving.
EU Council president Donald Tusk today confirmed he would provide an initial response within 48 hours, detailing the EU’s draft negotiating guidelines.
Asked whether the UK would definitely be out of the bloc by March 29, 2019, Mrs May’s spokesman said: ‘We have said we expect this to be a two year process.’
‘We are confident that is what we will achieve.’
The two-year timeframe set out by EU treaties can only be extended with unanimous approval from all the remaining 27 EU member states.
The UK’s representative in Brussels, Sir Tim Barrow, has informed European Council president Donald Tusk’s office about the plan.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “Last June, the people of the UK made the historic decision to leave the EU. Next Wednesday, the Government will deliver on that decision and formally start the process by triggering Article 50.”
‘We are on the threshold of the most important negotiation for this country for a generation.’
‘The Government is clear in its aims: a deal that works for every nation and region of the UK and indeed for all of Europe – a new, positive partnership between the UK and our friends and allies in the European Union.’
The PM held talks with Welsh leaders today amid a furious battle with Nicola Sturgeon over the Scottish First Minister’s demands for a second independence referendum.
The SNP chief is seeking to exploit the pressures of pushing through Brexit to destroy the union.
Welsh nationalists are also jumping on the bandwagon to demand concessions and new powers from Westminster – although calls for independence have much less support there.
Mrs May vowed: ‘From my first day on the steps of Downing Street, I made clear my determination to strengthen and sustain the precious Union.’
‘I have also been clear that as we leave the European Union I will work to deliver a deal that works for the whole of the UK.’
Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Junker has ramped up tensions by insisting no other countries will want to leave the EU after they see how badly Britain is punished.
The European Commission President voiced confidence that the ‘example’ of the UK would ensure the survival of the Brussels club.
He also threatened that Mrs May will have to accept demands from the EU for a divorce bill.
Asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper he was concerned other member states will follow Britain’s example in quitting, Mr Juncker said: ‘No. Britain’s example will make everyone realise that it’s not worth leaving.’
He added: ‘On the contrary, the remaining member states will fall in love with each other again and renew their vows with the European Union.’
Mr Juncker also said Britain would need to get used to being treated as a non-member.
‘Half memberships and cherry-picking aren’t possible. In Europe you eat what’s on the table or you don’t sit at the table,’ he added.
The EU is holding a summit this week to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
Mrs May will not be attending in order to avoid overshadowing the event and aggravating tensions.
The 27 states are expected to declare that ‘Europe is our common future’ in a show of unity.
MARCH 29: COCA COLA IS INVENTED, WARS OF THE ROSES ENDS… AND IT’S SIR JOHN MAJOR’S BIRTHDAY
Theresa May has chosen March 29 as the day she will trigger Article 50 to start leaving the EU – meaning if all goes to plan it will be the date we finally leave the organisation.
The PM has chosen to wait until after an EU summit to celebrate the Treaty of Rome is held this week in order to avoid inflaming tensions.
There were also concerns that waiting until the very end of her schedule of launching Brexit by the ‘end of March’ could have meant it being reported on April Fool’s Day.
Any date has many historical parallels and March 29 is no exception.
It is the date Coca-Cola was first brewed in a back yard in Atlanta in 1886.
The date was recorded as the bloodiest in England’s history in 1461 with the decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses.
In 1982, it was the day the Canada Act was given Royal Assent – ending any role for the UK Government in the Canadian constitution.
And in an extraordinary coincidence, it is also the birthday of arch Remainer and former Tory Prime Minister Sir John Major. He was born in 1943.
Sir John faced a huge rebellion among MPs over the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s – notoriously branding restive backbenchers including Iain Duncan Smith ‘b*****ds’.
Brexit legislation will dominate parliamentary time for years, says think-tank
As many as 15 new Parliamentary Bills may be needed due to Brexit, the Institute for Government (IFG) has warned.
The IFG said such an emphasis on legislation related to legal EU withdrawal means the Government’s domestic agenda will take a hit.
IFG’s research director, Dr Hannah White, told BBC Radio Today Four’s programme: ‘The estimates we have heard are something between 10 and 15 Bills required in the next two parliamentary sessions. Normally, there are about 20 in a Queen’s Speech.’
‘So, that’s roughly the capacity that there is in government to draft these Bills and, in terms of parliamentary time, to pass them.’
‘So, that takes a big chunk out of the Government’s capacity to legislate. And its other priorities, its domestic priorities, will take a hit in the next couple of sessions.’
‘There will have to be some really tight prioritisation in Government to work out what else is going to be done aside from the Brexit legislation.’
Dr White said the Bills, dealing with issues such as immigration procedures, would be on top of the Great Repeal Bill, which will incorporate EU law into British law.
Prime Minister Theresa May has stated she intends to trigger the Article 50 process, which begins two years of withdrawal negotiations by the end of this month.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Daily Mail
