Brexit: The EU have given Theresa May a short extension, here’s how Leave and remain voters reacted | indy100 | indy100

After many hours spent in talks, 27 European presidents and prime ministers granted Britain an unconditional extension to the Article 50 period until 12 April, and a further extension until the 22 May if MPs approved Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement next week.

It’s not exactly clear what May wanted, having gone into talks in Brussels with hopes that the extension period will be pushed until the 30 June, but it is a concession.

EU president Guy Verhofstadt tweeted about the decision, writing that it will:

Give the UK Parliament time to deliver a constructive cross-party majority for a positive future relationship.

There have been mixed responses to this extension from both sides of the political spectrum, and whether May’s withdrawal agreement will be voted down yet again is a question on many people’s minds.

The Leave.EU campaign isn’t supportive of the extension

It tweeted:

As expected, European leaders have concocted yet another stitch-up in Brussels, once again kicking the can further down the road. Our pathetically weak, submissive "leader" has graciously accepted.

The battle is far from over. Help us save Brexit.

As expected, European leaders have concocted yet another stitch-up in Brussels, once again kicking the can further… https://t.co/uuQ0z0blhi
— Leave.EU (@Leave.EU) 1553240433

Famous Brexiteer Nigel Farage condemned May’s decision to seek an extension and the subsequent EU response

Last night a national humiliation became an international humiliation.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel Farage) 1553241880

MP for Tottenham David Lammy called Theresa May's conduct in Brussels 'tragic' and challenged claims made by Farage that a 'clear majority' support a No-Deal Brexit

Even as @theresa_may claims to be leading Britain out of the bloc, she relies on EU leaders to come up with a plan.… https://t.co/VNiBPkK3g2
— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1553209351

Nigel Farage on #r4today unchallenged over his claim that "a very, very clear majority" now support No Deal. YouG… https://t.co/Yu17KSpxAm
— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1553244519

Labour party hardline Brexiteer MP Kate Hoey reiterated that she will 'NOT vote to Revoke Article 50'

Just to save people time and the ‘energy’ put into sending me the standard letter prepared by another Pro EU organi… https://t.co/FjJqiFMzxF
— Kate Hoey (@Kate Hoey) 1553181066

Tory MP Sam Gyimah, who resigned over May's Brexit deal back in November, is unimpressed

Extension negotiations are a sign of things to come under May's deal. Out of the room, each one of 27 countries wil… https://t.co/vblbkHuuOz
— Sam Gyimah (@Sam Gyimah) 1553241243

On the other hand, Independent Group MP Chris Leslie is calling for a People's Vote

Sheer damage of a crash-out no-deal #Brexit is so obvious - yet still some MPs prepared to contemplate it! If we… https://t.co/Zct9tD2EA9
— Chris Leslie (@Chris Leslie) 1553199247

Labour politician and policy researcher Will Straw has called May ‘incompetent’ and told his followers #RevokeArticle50 is the fastest growing House of Commons petition ever

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Lib Dem MP Layla Moran is urging for Parliament to take the decision 'out of the PM's hands'

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Campaigning group Our Future, Our Choice, who are pushing for a People’s Vote on Brexit don’t have confidence in May’s ability to get the withdrawal agreement in

If the deal is voted down, and MPs want to avoid No Deal, the only option on the table is a longer extension. To ge… https://t.co/d4V7rZCpGq
— Our Future, Our Choice (@Our Future, Our Choice) 1553189381

Other leaders reacted, too.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, whose country voted to Remain in the EU, praised the decision and is urging for another vote on Brexit.

So it seems the EU will give UK an extra two weeks to avoid a no deal Brexit. Imperative now that Parliament takes… https://t.co/ta1ir9zduO
— Nicola Sturgeon (@Nicola Sturgeon) 1553205003

Political commentators also gave their pennyworth.

May's most recent "meaningful vote" was last Tuesday. It's now Friday (in Brussels). Which means it's taken her n… https://t.co/zdS9IXhG5a
— Tom Peck (@Tom Peck) 1553211304

Brexit: what next? New cliff-edge of April 12. Anybody would think EU was picking up can-kicking tips from somewher… https://t.co/d5WTGeZ88G
— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1553217810

we have reached the moment where EU is becoming more scared of an unconditional Brexit extension than a no-deal Bre… https://t.co/xS38MZSbZb
— Wolfgang Munchau (@Wolfgang Munchau) 1553190044

The EU is like that wise professor right now, and we're like flunking grad students, giving us deadline extensions… https://t.co/EUC65Aj053
— Sam Mathews (@Sam Mathews) 1553245199

The extension alone will not solve the #Brexit mess. Theresa May put the country in an emergency situation - she co… https://t.co/z2ZMdCLs4i
— Udo Bullmann (@Udo Bullmann) 1553244661

And people on both sides are getting sick of Brexit

As a remainer, and sick and tired of BREXIT, with no hope of the UK staying in the EU - No Extension! Let the UK re… https://t.co/FgVThHz40k
— peter cotterill (@peter cotterill) 1553169286

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Euro gives another 2 weeks to the UK for Brexit, but it's been 2 years, can they do anything in extra 2 weeks in th… https://t.co/QrTe00khZF
— Rafael Costa (@Rafael Costa) 1553246168

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