Westminstenders: The gall of the french

[RedToothBrush]

We are full steam ahead with European Parliamentary Elections! Something that seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago.

May still remains adament that they will not happen, but the die has been cast.

May is off to beg Macron and Merkel to back an extension but the French are already stating they want assurances we won't screw thing up for everyone else.

May still is pushing for a deal with Corbyn and a Not a compromise.

Still there is no sign of a breakthrough either for an extension nor over a cross party deal. It drags on, but at least no one has mentioned the WA for ten minutes.

We might yet be in Europe for another Eurovision. Psychologically this feels important.

The ERG are not happy.

Pat Leahy @ patleahyit
A read from inside the Council room – several leaders have spoken, vast majority in favour of a long extension, with some favouring December and some March of next year. Dutch PM Mark Rutte spoke first. Macron has not spoken yet.

Overwhelming expectation that there will be a long extension agreed though there still significant French opposition to this.

Mrs May told leaders that she believes she can get Withdrawal Treaty passed, that negotiations with Labour are “going well” according to a person briefed on the early exchanges. This was not widely believed by EU leaders.

She said the UK government doesn’t expect to run EU elections, but they will if they have to.

Asked if Mrs May had given a “detailed road map” to passing the treaty and exiting, one source briefed on the discussions said – no, because she can’t.

“The end of year seems to be the preference,” says a source.

More on
www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/brexit-theresa-may-attends-crucial-summit-in-brussels-1.3855764?mode=amp
Brexit: Theresa May attends crucial summit in Brussels
British PM at European Council meeting which will determine whether the UK leaves the union with no deal on Friday

Bad news @WhatWouldScoobyDoo

Botheration.

Will have to err on the side of caution with the online shop then. (But I’m not adding tinned Brussels Sprouts)

Why are arch euro sceptics ( septics) IDS and Owen Paterson
going in such a rush after today and before Friday. .. with Arlene?

Why those three?

But the recipe said muffins! Betrayed again. As bad as the bus.

Jonathan Lis @jonlis1
Oh god. Assumed it had already taken 3 hours because Macron had put up a fuss. He hasn’t even spoken yet!

Brexit is the worst ( apart from world wars) that has ever happened to this country. We are so divided and it will take years to heal us all.

I've also been here from the start! (Although I'm also more of a lurker than a poster)

On a more positive note the younger generations are more united.

Tinned sprouts sound really quite grim. I bet they're soggy. < not envy.

Macron is now talking.

It just feels surreal - watching a disaster movie with the family while refreshing this page and keeping an eye on Twitter for the news from Brussels, while planning the shopping lists for the next couple of days depending on whatever the news from Brussels will be.

Alberto Nardelli@albertonardelli
EUCO: Macron talking now, taking a tough stance. But I am told he is not the only EU27 leader that has doubts about long extension

EUCO: I am told that Macron is pushing for an extension to end June.

It could be a long night.

Deborah Haynes @ haynesdeborah
^Nervousness at #EUCO that France's @EmmanuelMacron could make things tricky at closed-door #Brexit meeting of EU27 given opposition to long extension
"It could all go belly up as soon as the French president speaks" a source says. He may choose to be last of 27 leaders to speak^

The end of year seems to be the preference,” says a source.

Merry Christmas

Ian Dunt is concerned about people like Scooby

Ian Dunt@iandunt
Does Macron not understand that some of us need a long extension so we can book a holiday.

I think it will be December. Happy New Year and all that

I've also lurked since the beginning with only the occasional post. These threads have helped me so much, both with trying to understand what the hell is going on and with being able to feel there are others out there feeling like we do.

I feel we are barely any closer to finding out what will happen than we were immediately after the referendum. I've spent hours every day reading these threads. Thanks to all contributors.

A December 31st exit would have benefits. Just don't eat your leftovers too quickly....

As they approach the conclusion of their roundtable, leaders also agree that the U.K. has maintained a positive track record of good faith and cooperation throughout the Brexit process, a senior official said, limiting any concerns that Britain would become a disruptive force during its prolonged membership.

It's déjà vu all over again as Theresa May heads to Brussels once more to ask EU27 leaders for even more time on Brexit.

At a special gathering of the European Council on Wednesday, May will make the case for her request to extend the U.K.'s exit date until June 30, unless the House of Commons can ratify her deal with Brussels before then.

All signs point to May getting an extension, as a leaked document seen by POLITICO Tuesday shows EU27 leaders are set to offer the U.K. more time, though the key final date is still to be decided by leaders when they meet.

Follow our live blog below for updates throughout the day.

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APRIL 10, 201910:48 PM
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David M. Herszenhorn

In addition, the upcoming European Parliament election means that most major legislative work is done for this year, so there would be minimal opportunity for anti-EU members of the Parliament to interfere. Meanwhile, the big decisions facing the EU on its future leadership don't require unanimity. The European Commission president, for instance, is traditionally nominated unanimously by the Council but the EU treaties in fact allow a decision by qualified majority.

www.politico.eu/article/special-brexit-summit-live-blog-article-50-extension/

A December 31st exit would have benefits. Just don't eat your leftovers too quickly....

Oh blimey. I thought I couldn’t loathe and detest New Year’s Eve more than I do already.

Rather a positive piece on the Govt's settlement scheme in the Guardian.

Interesting Javid's official rhetoric towards the citizens of nowhere (well from the EU at least) is now “EU citizens have contributed so much to this country and we want them all to stay. That’s why we have made the EU settlement scheme free and simple to use. It’s vital no one is left behind and we support vulnerable people who may have difficulties applying.

Ian Dunt is concerned about people like Scooby

Ha ha no I haven’t even dreamt of booking a holiday this year - I’m only trying to sort out the number of tins in an online shopping order!

Erm, I got an error message on my screen directly after posting that ('Apache Tom cat' 70.4 ? mean anything?)

So are we expecting an answer on this soon or will it be a late one?

Server error, they are watching you LT&L