NICOLA Sturgeon has condemned Theresa May’s “short-termism” after the Prime Minister requested a Brexit extension until June 30.
May has written to EU Council president Donald Tusk to make the request – one that was rejected by Brussels last month.
The UK was instead granted an extension of Article 50 until the end of next week, but May is now seeking to delay Brexit for a second time after her deal was rejected for a third time last week.
READ MORE: Theresa May asks for Article 50 extension until June 30
The move – which could conceivably see European elections held in the UK without the winning candidates ever taking their seats in Brussels, since the parliament does not convene until July – has provoked a backlash on social media against the Prime Minister.
According to the BBC, May has acknowledged that the UK will have to participate in European elections if no deal is agreed before they are set to take place on May 23.
Responding to the news, Sturgeon called for a longer delay to ensure that there was enough time to hold a People’s Vote – a process Scottish Brexit Secretary Michael Russell said on Thursday could take up to eight months.
READ MORE: Brexit: Michael Russell calls for European elections
The First Minister tweeted: “Instead of decisive action – requesting a long delay to allow the issue to go back to the people – Theresa May just proposes more short term-ism and a new cliff edge.”
Instead of decisive action - requesting a long delay to allow the issue to go back to the people - Theresa May just proposes more short term-ism and a new cliff edge. https://t.co/sofz0mr7cx
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 5, 2019
Later, speaking to BBC Scotland, Sturgeon accused May of "yet more short-termism and the setting up, potentially, of another cliff edge".
She added: "The sensible thing to do, in my view, and it seems as if this might be the EU's view as well, is to have a longer extension to allow time for this issue to go back to the people in another referendum rather than continue to have these short-term cliff edges.
"The first priority, of course, must be to avoid a no-deal exit at the end of next week – but beyond that give some time and space now for some sensible ways forward to be found."
The BBC’s Europe editor, meanwhile, said May’s latest proposal would have eyes rolling across Europe.
You can almost hear the sound of combined eye-rolling across 27 European capitals .. as the PM requests a #Brexit extension-time (till 30th June) that Brussels has already repeatedly rejected /1
— katya adler (@BBCkatyaadler) April 5, 2019
The associate director of think tank Institute for Government also hit out at the Government.
The latest example of the UK Government asking for something they know they can't have, relying on the EU to tell them what they already knew but can't say because its politically awkward. https://t.co/IMtmqlVRLG
— Joe Owen (@jl_owen) April 5, 2019
Sky News’ Lewis Goodall focussed on the potential ramifications for the European elections in May.
The prospect of Britain organising for an election, selecting candidates, holding hustings, telling the public they’re happening, candidates and parties spending money and printing leaflets and so on- only for them to be cancelled at the last minute would be a first and absurd.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) April 5, 2019
At least the Guardian’s Jim Waterston saw the funny side …
Just doing some clothes shopping. pic.twitter.com/2T7PEG3MfE
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) April 5, 2019
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel