Whispers in EU now of how possible 2tier extension could get everyone (all 27 member states) onboard /1
Idea would be to have “short extension” till mid November to encourage MPs to debate and (EU hopes) ratify the new #Brexit deal /2
This, it is thought here, would appeal to the French who are pretty much the only EU country opposing granting the 3 month extension mentioned in PMs extension request letter. It would provide them with a ladder to climb down while .. /3
In case deal did not pass by midNov in UK, the second tier of extension lasting till 31 Jan would kick in, allowing time/cover for general election. There’s talk of backchannel chat today between Macron and the PM /4
EU would keep to its ‘flextension’ idea, so the UK could and would leave as soon as Brexit deal was ratified by UK Parliament and European Parliament BUT /5
EU leaders are already half-thinking -should an election prove inconclusive/return a hung parliament then they may be asked for yet another #Brexit extension come January /6
