The British justice secretary, David Guake said that it would not be sustainable for the Prime Minister to ignore the will of the members of the House of Commons if they decide to vote for a softer Brexit. The British parliament is holding a votation today where they are going to choose between nine different alternatives, among them a customs union with the European Union.
“If parliament is voting overwhelmingly against leaving the European Union without a deal but is voting in favor of a softer Brexit, then I don’t think it’s sustainable to ignore parliament’s position and therefore leave without a deal,” he said during an interview.
Another five British ministers joined Gauke in order to face hardline Brexiters and offering a socially liberal conservative alternative.
This situation shows a rift in the conservative party, as the hardline Brexiters lead an emergency conference on Saturday in order to counter the idea of making a customs union with the EU.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, patience is running out as the head of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker was reported saying that the European Union has been patient with Britain but that it is fading.
“So far we know what the British parliament says no to, but we don’t know what it might say yes to,” he said about the confusing signals the UK parliament is sending, “We have had a lot of patience with our British friends over Brexit, but patience runs out," he added.
Other European representatives expressed that the UK parliament pretenses are detached from reality since the withdrawal agreement is already closed.
“Either the UK asks for an extension beyond May 22, in which case it must participate in the European Parliament elections, or it must adopt the withdrawal agreement," said an EU official.
The premier, on the other hand, has to look for an extension before April 12 in order to avoid leaving the union without a deal as her position in her own party continues to weaken.
Whether the UK is leaving the European Union with or without a deal or chooses to hold a new referendum is still unclear. This week may be crucial for the future of the economic and political relationship between the union and the UK.