Last night, the EU27 unanimously rejected Theresa May’s request for a June Brexit extension and told her 22 May at the latest – or 12 April if she couldn’t pass her deal). This pushes the cliff edge back by just a little, and makes nothing easier for her.
If her deal doesn’t pass, she would have to choose a no deal, or a long extension and agree to hold European parliament elections.
But that’s assuming that she will still be in control of the process at that point. Crucially, the extension gives time for MPs to take control of Brexit in the next three weeks. If her deal is rejected (as still looks likely) then parliament will have plenty opportunity to state its terms: for example, the Customs Union that Labour seeks.
Indeed, one such attempt by Cooper-Letwin-Boles has already been tabled for next Monday’s motion on Brexit.
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