MPs have approved a Government motion for British Prime Minister Theresa May to seek an extension of the Brexit process to June 30 by 420 votes to 110, majority 310.
Meanwhile, Mrs May is holding talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron today in an attempt to secure their support for a delay to Brexit at tomorrow's EU summit.
Following the meeting with Chancellor Merkel in Berlin this afternoon, a Downing Street spokesman said the leaders discussed the UK’s request for an extension of Article 50 to June 30 with the option to bring this forward if a deal is ratified earlier.
“The Prime Minister outlined the steps the Government is taking to bring the Brexit process to a successful conclusion and updated Chancellor Merkel on the ongoing discussions with the Opposition.
The leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring Britain’s orderly withdrawal from the European Union.
The British Prime Minister will now fly to Paris, where she faces the tougher task of winning the support of President Macron, who has warned in recent days that an extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process is not guaranteed.
The visits came as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said Brussels could amend the Political Declaration on future relations with the UK “within a few hours or days” to incorporate the customs union arrangement being discussed in cross-party talks between the Government and Labour.
Mrs May has asked for the date of Brexit to be delayed until June 30 at Wednesday’s summit, with the possibility of an earlier departure if the UK’s withdrawal deal is ratified.
But European Council president Donald Tusk is recommending a year-long delay, while French Europe minister Amelie de Montchalin suggested Paris may insist on conditions limiting British influence on EU decision-making during the extension period.
The unanimous agreement of all 27 remaining EU states is needed to avoid a no-deal Brexit on the scheduled date of April 12.
PA
