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EU gives Britain 11 days to come up with new Brexit plan EU gives Britain 11 days to come up with new Brexit plan
(1 day later)
The EU has given the British government 11 days to come up with a fresh Brexit plan to avoid crashing out of the bloc at 11pm on 12 April.The EU has given the British government 11 days to come up with a fresh Brexit plan to avoid crashing out of the bloc at 11pm on 12 April.
In the immediate aftermath of the crushing rejection of the prime minister’s deal, the European council president, Donald Tusk, called an emergency leaders’ summit.In the immediate aftermath of the crushing rejection of the prime minister’s deal, the European council president, Donald Tusk, called an emergency leaders’ summit.
Brexit: Donald Tusk calls emergency EU summit after May defeated again - live newsBrexit: Donald Tusk calls emergency EU summit after May defeated again - live news
Should the UK seek a lengthy extension, leaders will debate any request at an extraordinary meeting on 10 April.Should the UK seek a lengthy extension, leaders will debate any request at an extraordinary meeting on 10 April.
EU capitals would require a clear justification at least two days earlier from Downing Street on the reason for a lengthy delay to allow officials to prepare. “We expect the UK to indicate a way forward before then, well in time for the European council to consider,” an official said.EU capitals would require a clear justification at least two days earlier from Downing Street on the reason for a lengthy delay to allow officials to prepare. “We expect the UK to indicate a way forward before then, well in time for the European council to consider,” an official said.
EU heads of state and government expressed their alarm at the continued impasse in Westminster following the third defeat of May’s deal.EU heads of state and government expressed their alarm at the continued impasse in Westminster following the third defeat of May’s deal.
Theresa May is in Paris and Berlin to speak to Macron and Merkel. Low level talks continue between the government and the Labour party aiming to find a deal both could agree to put through parliament. May will arrive at the emergency European council summit on Wednesday evening without a new plan to present, following the breakup of cross-party talks with Labour. She will be asking the EU27 for a brief extension until 30 June, but without any evidence a departure deal could be made in the intervening weeks.
Having asked for a further Article 50 extension until 30 June, Theresa May will present whatever deal or plan she has reached with Jeremy Corbyn and parliament to the European Council. EU leaders would decide how long any further extension might run, but there is no guarantee the EU27 would unanimously agree to one at all. While some reports suggested EU leaders could agree to a brief delay, or even cut the UK loose on Friday, the consensus prediction is that May will be offered a longer extension to Brexit, perhaps until the end of 2019, or even for a year.
With no other significant developments, this would have been the date that the UK left the EU with no deal by international law. However, the Cooper-Letwin bill in parliament has legislated against this, suggesting the only options for the government are an extension or revoking article 50.  If EU leaders have not offered an extension, this is the date the UK is due, by international law, to leave the EU with no deal. However, the Cooper-Letwin bill in parliament has ruled this out in the UK, instructing the prime minister to endeavour to avoid a no-deal departure.
The EU27 will vote for a new set of MEPs without the UK participating. However, if Brexit has been delayed beyond Theresa May's new proposed date of 30 June, then the UK could still hold European elections on Thursday 23 May. The Conservative party has told potential candidates to be ready to stand. The EU will vote for a new set of MEPs. If Brexit has been delayed beyond 30 June, then the UK will hold European elections on Thursday 23 May. The Conservative party has told potential candidates to be ready to stand.
If Theresa May's can get a proposal through parliament, then this still could be the scheduled date of the UK's departure from the EU. Crucially it is before the new European parliament sits, meaning the UK would not have had to participate in the elections. Donald Tusk has proposed a flexible extension, allowing the UK to leave the EU at some point before a cut-off date of 10 April 2020, as soon as the UK parliament can ratify an orderly departure. Other dates that have been suggested included December 2019 and March 2020. 
Theresa May is expected to stand down after the UK leaves the EU on whatever date, having agreed that somebody else should lead the next phase of negotiations. This will trigger a Conservative leadership election. There has been some suggestion that she might hold out through the summer so that the contest takes place after the next Tory conference in October.
Donald Tusk has proposed a flexible extension, allowing the UK to leave the EU at some point before a cut-off date of 10 April 2020, at the point where the UK parliament can ratify an orderly departure. 
The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “It is up to the UK to indicate how it plans to proceed in order to avoid a no-deal scenario. The European council has agreed unanimously that the withdrawal agreement will not be reopened.” However, he added: “I believe we must be open to a long extension should the UK decide to fundamentally reconsider its approach … I believe that will result in a generous and understanding response from the 27.”The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “It is up to the UK to indicate how it plans to proceed in order to avoid a no-deal scenario. The European council has agreed unanimously that the withdrawal agreement will not be reopened.” However, he added: “I believe we must be open to a long extension should the UK decide to fundamentally reconsider its approach … I believe that will result in a generous and understanding response from the 27.”
The Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said: “I regret the renewed rejection of the withdrawal agreement. We continue to advocate an orderly Brexit, even if it is now becoming less and less likely.”The Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said: “I regret the renewed rejection of the withdrawal agreement. We continue to advocate an orderly Brexit, even if it is now becoming less and less likely.”
The Danish prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said Britain was running out of time. “House of Commons did not seize their third chance to secure an orderly Brexit,” he tweeted. “Very discouraging. UK must now show a way to avoid a no deal. Almost out of options and time. We will intensify our no-deal preparations.”The Danish prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said Britain was running out of time. “House of Commons did not seize their third chance to secure an orderly Brexit,” he tweeted. “Very discouraging. UK must now show a way to avoid a no deal. Almost out of options and time. We will intensify our no-deal preparations.”
Brexit: as May's deal is defeated for the third time, the next steps explainedBrexit: as May's deal is defeated for the third time, the next steps explained
Charles Michel, the prime minister of Belgium, said: “I call upon UK authorities to act in the country’s interest and present a clear way forward.”Charles Michel, the prime minister of Belgium, said: “I call upon UK authorities to act in the country’s interest and present a clear way forward.”
Should May succeed in getting her deal past the Commons next week at a fourth time of asking, the EU would likely waive through an extension until 22 May.Should May succeed in getting her deal past the Commons next week at a fourth time of asking, the EU would likely waive through an extension until 22 May.
But speaking in Poland, the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said it was becoming more likely the UK could crash out on the new default Brexit date of 12 April.But speaking in Poland, the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said it was becoming more likely the UK could crash out on the new default Brexit date of 12 April.
The European commission’s most senior official, Martin Selmayr, tweeted: “12 April is now the new 29 March”, in reference to the original date for the UK to leave the EU.The European commission’s most senior official, Martin Selmayr, tweeted: “12 April is now the new 29 March”, in reference to the original date for the UK to leave the EU.
In a statement, the European commission said a no-deal scenario was likely.In a statement, the European commission said a no-deal scenario was likely.
The EU’s executive also sent a message to British MPs who believe the government could pay for a transition period to allow for a managed no-deal Brexit, a proposal made in the “Malthouse agreement” proposal put together by a group of Conservative backbenchers.The EU’s executive also sent a message to British MPs who believe the government could pay for a transition period to allow for a managed no-deal Brexit, a proposal made in the “Malthouse agreement” proposal put together by a group of Conservative backbenchers.
The Malthouse Compromise is named after housing minister Kit Malthouse, who brokered cross-party talks between Brexiters and former remainers on a possible way out of the Brexit impasse.The Malthouse Compromise is named after housing minister Kit Malthouse, who brokered cross-party talks between Brexiters and former remainers on a possible way out of the Brexit impasse.
The result involves redrafting the backstop arrangement for the Irish border which is so unpopular with Conservative Eurosceptic MPs and the Democratic Unionist party, which props up the government.The result involves redrafting the backstop arrangement for the Irish border which is so unpopular with Conservative Eurosceptic MPs and the Democratic Unionist party, which props up the government.
It would also extend the transition period, set out under the previously negotiated withdrawal agreement, until the end of 2021. The extension is designed to give extra time to agree a new trading relationship.It would also extend the transition period, set out under the previously negotiated withdrawal agreement, until the end of 2021. The extension is designed to give extra time to agree a new trading relationship.
Under the plan, the backstop would be replaced with a free trade agreement with as yet unknown technology to avoid customs checks on the Irish border.Under the plan, the backstop would be replaced with a free trade agreement with as yet unknown technology to avoid customs checks on the Irish border.
If the attempt to renegotiate the backstop fails, the Malthouse compromise proposes what amounts to a managed no deal.If the attempt to renegotiate the backstop fails, the Malthouse compromise proposes what amounts to a managed no deal.
The PM would ask the EU to honour the extended transition period, in return for agreeing the £39bn divorce bill and its commitments on EU citizens’ rights. This would give both sides time to prepare for departure on WTO terms at the end of 2021 – or to negotiate a different deal.The PM would ask the EU to honour the extended transition period, in return for agreeing the £39bn divorce bill and its commitments on EU citizens’ rights. This would give both sides time to prepare for departure on WTO terms at the end of 2021 – or to negotiate a different deal.
The compromise is backed by the DUP, the European Research Group of hard Tory Brexiters, and former remainers including Nicky Morgan. However, the EU has repeatedly stated that the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement are not open for renegotiationThe compromise is backed by the DUP, the European Research Group of hard Tory Brexiters, and former remainers including Nicky Morgan. However, the EU has repeatedly stated that the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement are not open for renegotiation
A commission spokesman said: “The commission regrets the negative vote in the House of Commons today. It will be for the UK to indicate the way forward before [12 April], for consideration by the European council.A commission spokesman said: “The commission regrets the negative vote in the House of Commons today. It will be for the UK to indicate the way forward before [12 April], for consideration by the European council.
“A ‘no-deal’ scenario on 12 April is now a likely scenario. The EU has been preparing for this since December 2017 and is now fully prepared for a ‘no-deal’ scenario at midnight on 12 April. The EU will remain united.“A ‘no-deal’ scenario on 12 April is now a likely scenario. The EU has been preparing for this since December 2017 and is now fully prepared for a ‘no-deal’ scenario at midnight on 12 April. The EU will remain united.
“The benefits of the withdrawal agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a ‘no-deal’ scenario. Sectoral mini-deals are not an option.”“The benefits of the withdrawal agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a ‘no-deal’ scenario. Sectoral mini-deals are not an option.”
In recent weeks the EU has set out contingency measures that would last between six and nine months, including legislation to keep planes in the air and haulage routes open. Further measures to keep the City of London operating have a 12-month lifespan.In recent weeks the EU has set out contingency measures that would last between six and nine months, including legislation to keep planes in the air and haulage routes open. Further measures to keep the City of London operating have a 12-month lifespan.
Brussels will not open negotiations with the government on extending such measures until it has accepted the central tenets of the withdrawal agreement : the Irish backstop to avoid a hard border, the £39bn divorce bill and a package on citizens’ rights.Brussels will not open negotiations with the government on extending such measures until it has accepted the central tenets of the withdrawal agreement : the Irish backstop to avoid a hard border, the £39bn divorce bill and a package on citizens’ rights.
An official in the council, which represents member states, said Theresa May would probably be asked to address the other EU leaders on the chosen way forward at the summit on 10 April.An official in the council, which represents member states, said Theresa May would probably be asked to address the other EU leaders on the chosen way forward at the summit on 10 April.
“The exact timing and modalities of the European council are still to be decided but, like last week, the UK prime minister can be expected to participate in the beginning of the meeting.”“The exact timing and modalities of the European council are still to be decided but, like last week, the UK prime minister can be expected to participate in the beginning of the meeting.”
Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, after meeting Barnier in Warsaw, said: “We are open to consider a motion to extend the process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union by six, nine or 12 months.Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, after meeting Barnier in Warsaw, said: “We are open to consider a motion to extend the process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union by six, nine or 12 months.
“For us the basic thing would be to have the UK stay in the EU. We have always wanted that and I personally have been persuading prime minister May to that, but these are obviously internal affairs of the UK, and three years ago they made their decision”“For us the basic thing would be to have the UK stay in the EU. We have always wanted that and I personally have been persuading prime minister May to that, but these are obviously internal affairs of the UK, and three years ago they made their decision”
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