How politicians at home and abroad reacted to Halloween Brexit extension
UK MPs have voiced their opinions – alongside US president Donald Trump.
Theresa May has accepted an offer from leaders of the remaining 27 EU countries to delay Brexit to October 31.
Here is how figures in the UK and abroad are reacting to the Halloween extension.
US president Donald Trump invoked America’s trading relationship with the EU in his assessment.
He tweeted: “Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change.
“Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you!”
Chuka Umunna, spokesman for The Independent Group of breakaway MPs, said the extension provided an opportunity for a second referendum.
He said: “Unless the main party leaders do a backroom deal to enable a customs union Brexit and deny the British people a say over this mess – a big risk – this extension paves the way for Euro elections +a #PeoplesVote which we must grab with two hands for the sake of future generations.
“With British MEPs continuing to sit in the Euro Parliament we will be rule makers not rule takers – if Brexit had happened and the UK was in transition, it would have been the opposite. A #PeoplesVote with Remain on the ballot will give voters a chance to make this permanent.”
Liberal Democrat MP Sir Ed Davey also called for a second referendum to be held.
“Tonight we breathe a sigh of relief: our EU friends offer us escape from #BrexitShambles,” he tweeted.
“Enjoy the moment: a key step in a long journey. Tomorrow we push #PeoplesVote even harder.
“Let’s get this nightmare behind us & pull UK back together”.
Labour MP Mary Creagh, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum, said she hoped for “sincere cooperation” on Brexit from the Government “after this fiasco”.
She said: “People across the UK will be relieved at this sensible extension.
“Parliament must agree tomorrow and MPs must move swiftly to break the Brexit deadlock with a confirmatory ballot on the PM’s deal.”
