Thread by @SKinnock

1. It is vitally important that my colleagues in Parliament are clear, before we vote on 12 March, that the UK can only hold a second referendum if we take part in the 23 May European Parliament elections. Here's why...

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2. European Parliament elections will take place across EU between 23 & 26 May, & newly elected EP will convene on 2 July. EU clear that the new EP would not be legally constituted if UK is still an EU member state on 2 July but has no British MEPs sitting in newly elected EP.

3. EU position based on 2 key facts. First, there’ll be a flood of litigation if UK still a member on 2 July but with no UK MEPs. UK citizens wld be within rights to sue on a range of citizenship-based issues 'cos their EU citizen rights aren't being adequately represented in EP.

4. Second, the EP will play a central role this summer in nomination and confirmation of new Commission President and his/her team of Commissioners. If UK is still a member but with no MEPs the legitimacy of nominations & confirmation process would be fundamentally undermined.

5. So, the EU really means what it says on this. This not a ‘negotiating ploy’, and there are no work-arounds, sleights of hand or backstairs fixes. If we want to extend A50 beyond 2 July then we must first and foremost commit to taking part in the 23 - 26 May EP elections.

6. @instituteforgov say a ref takes 6+months to organise, ie well beyond 2 July cut-off. 2nd ref campaigners must therefore be completely up-front: to hold ref, Article 50 must be extended well beyond 2 July & this is only possible if UK takes part in the 23 May EP election.

7. To my knowledge nobody from any of the 2nd ref campaign groups has yet confirmed that they understand, and indeed believe, that their campaign for a second referendum is predicated on the fact that the UK will have to take part in the EP elections.

8. For 3yrs we’ve seen politicians/campaigners on all sides accentuate positive possibilities & gloss over inconvenient realities, corroding trust in our politics & institutions. So I urge 2nd ref supporters to level with public & MPs about EP elections before we vote on 12 March

9. It’s vital that they provide this clarity and transparency well in advance of the 12 March vote, so that MPs on all sides of the House are going into the division lobbies on this critically important matter with their eyes fully open, and with all the facts on the table.

ENDS