After yesterday’s shocking/not-shocking news of May’s resignation, the European Commission has today advised member-states to prepare for all scenarios, including a no-resignation one.
By BritishResearchGroup@emielnachtegael (Twitter)
Brussels, May 25
It has been reported by the tabloids that the initial reaction after May’s speech among the elected/non-elected bureaucrats in Brussels was one of jubilation.
French president Macron has supposedly cracked a bottle of champagne after hearing the news of May’s resignation, and Verhofstadt, Brexit-negotiator of the EP, has allegedly been quoted telling his team, when watching the livestream of the news:
“Now, let’s set fire to tears!”
He was so excited he spilled his glass of wine in his hands. However, it seems that the mood in Brussels is one of less than impressed and much more one of “let’s wait and see”.
Margaritis Schinas, the chief spokesperson of the Commission, soberly told the press that “though it us our preferred scenario for her to leave office, we have the responsibility to prepare for all eventualities”.
The date of her departing is set on June 7, but this has raised eyebrows among leaders on the Continent.
Juncker, surprisingly sober as well, told LCD Views:
“Has the Queen actually seen a letter of resignation? Just asking, because, well, we had to wait almost ten months after the UK told that it wants to leave the EU before we actually received the official letter invoking article 50.”
Tusk, the President of the EU-Council has told EU-heads of states to be ready for a special Council meeting where an extension of her premiership will be discussed.
EU-member states, too, are bracing themselves in case of a non-resignation scenario. And since the UK is officially still a member, the Commission has also issued a listed of recommendations to the UK in case May does not resign.
LCD Views has obtained a copy of this list and we are publishing here some of the measures Europe recommends:
* The Opposition parties are advised to hold their fire until the Tory party has made up its mind on what kind of resignation it actually wants. A hard one, where she is gone for good, or a soft one where May goes, but comes back through the backdoor?
* Europeans and non-white people living under conditions of hostile environment are advised not to come out of their houses yet, until the EU confirms that May is really, really gone.
* Teachers in the UK are told to continue to raise private funds for their schools and continue to visit foodbanks to feed their pupils, as – says the document – “We’ve been repeatedly told by the PM that austerity would be over, but even with May gone, austerity is uncertain to end”.
* Satirists depicting May requesting an extension of her premiership in the near future, despite having declared her decision to leave, are requested to censure their pieces in case reality trumps satire (again).
The ERG and DUP have reacted furiously upon being informed about this list. Rees-Mogg called it another instance of “European bullying” and has instructed his nanny to write a polite letter of protest to the Commission.
Mark Francois went further: he ripped up the Commission’s list in front of all the cameras!!! He even threatened to stand as a candidate as leader of the Conservative Party.
Do you have any recommendations yourselves on what the UK should do in case of a non-resignation scenario? Do waste your time and share them in the comment section.