Thread by @JenniferMerode

The big issue at today’s EU ambassadors’ meeting on Brexit was how to make sure the UK "plays nice" during a long Brexit extension -- or “how can we make sure the UK doesn’t pull a Jacob Rees-Mogg”.

Short thread

EU ambassadors gave v cautious response to May’s letter.

For some the glass was half full. 1. EP elections 2. Sincere co-operation.

For others it was a glass-half-empty kind of letter.
1. No good reason for extension 2. No guarantees on sincere co-operation

Michel Barnier was also very cautious.

He said the only thing that got the UK to move was time pressure.

France also maintained their tough line, saying the UK hadn’t given any credible reason why it should get an extension.

EU diplomats also say that if Theresa May will not ask for a one-year extension, it cannot be forced to have one.

“I would be surprised if we would offer something which the UK would not ask for.”

Donald Tusk’s proposal was described as a “surprise” and there is a lot of work to do in national capitals to assess it. BUT no one is ruling out an extension.

All involved stress, as always, that only EU leaders can press the button on extension.

And there is a sense of ‘who knows what will happen anyway in the UK in the next five days’. As one diplomat said: “everything changes on a daily basis in the UK, so let's wait and see.”

And some EU diplomats think “the Jacob Rees-Mogg issue” is overrated.

No single member state has a veto on the European commission/council pres jobs -- David Cameron would remember that an opposition of two blocks nothing.

And the seven-year budget decision is forseen in the second half of 2020. (Best not mention that to European Court of Auditors, but that's another story).

In short "JRM issue"/ UK spoiler seen as manageable, but still EU leaders face hard choice on Brexit extension. ENDS