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EU27 offer #Art50 extension until 31 Oct. Main takeaways? Thread
1. Not abt the UK: EU gave up pressing UK for a “plan” and focused instead on making sure Brexit does not hamper EU work elsewhere. So less about UK, and more about EU.
2. No deal still legal default: on 31 May if UK fails to hold EP elections; on 31 Oct if it fails to pass WA. EU27 will take stock of progress in June. Gives both sides more time to prepare too.
3. Extension until Oct means UK in EU Parliament, there for discussions about new EU Commission (and 5-yr priorities) but not there when EU budget is adopted.
4. Speaking of: UK shd use this time to see where EU priorities align with its own. Where can they work together? And how wd that cooperation look like in after Brexit? Look to Norway for good examples of engagement / influence (and @instituteforgov report later this year).
5. All the more important since..: there can be no negotiations abt future until WA has been passed. As @jillongovt wrote: more time spent on WA, less time you have to negotiate the most complex bits, trade & security. Tick tock. instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/going-dow…
6. Finally: everyone (in EU27) is a winner. Pleases France & Germany, no need for a UK Commissioner (and leaves awkward discussion abt reducing overall number of EU Commissioners for another day) & leaves door open for a new role for @MichelBarnier in Autumn..
