Extension of Art 50 (3) Notice Period

Jane Lambert

In my January Brexit Briefing, I wrote that one of four things had to happen before 23:00 on 29 March 2019:

• ratification  of the draft withdrawal agreement; 
• revocation of the notification of 29 March 2017;
• an extension of the notification period; or
• withdrawal of the UK from the EU without an agreement.

The government chose the third of those options.   It applied to the European Council for an extension of the notification period.  The Council granted its application by a decision dated 22 March 2019.

The decision is a very short document.  It consists of 2 articles and 12 paragraphs of recitals.  The effective provision is art 1 which is divided into 2 paragraphs. The first paragraph of art 1 extends the notification period to 22 May 2019 provided that the House of Commons approves the draft withdrawal agreement by 29 March 2019.  If the Commons does not do so, the second paragraph extends the notification period until 12 April 2019 in which case "the United Kingdom will indicate a way forward before 12 April 2019, for consideration by the European Council."

The reason for the time limits is explained in para (10) of the recitals:

"This extension will have the consequence that the United Kingdom will remain a Member State with all the rights and obligations set out in the Treaties and under Union law. If the United Kingdom is still a Member State on 23-26 May 2019, it will be under the obligation to hold the elections to the European Parliament in accordance with Union law. It is to be noted that the United Kingdom would have to give notice of the poll by 12 April 2019 in order to hold such elections."

If the Commons fails to ratify the withdrawal agreement by 29 March 2018, the choices for the government are to leave the EU without a deal on 12 April 2019, seek a longer extension to the notification period which would require this country to participate in the European Parliament elections or revoke its notification of 29 March 2017.

A head of steam is building up for revocation of that notification as evidenced by the massive numbers who took place in the march on Saturday and the even larger numbers of signatories to the Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU. The government's response has been shrill.  In an email to all signatories it wrote:

"This Government will not revoke Article 50. We will honour the result of the 2016 referendum and work with Parliament to deliver a deal that ensures we leave the European Union.

It remains the Government’s firm policy not to revoke Article 50. We will honour the outcome of the 2016 referendum and work to deliver an exit which benefits everyone, whether they voted to Leave or to Remain. 

Revoking Article 50, and thereby remaining in the European Union, would undermine both our democracy and the trust that millions of voters have placed in Government. 

The Government acknowledges the considerable number of people who have signed this petition. However, close to three quarters of the electorate took part in the 2016 referendum, trusting that the result would be respected. This Government wrote to every household prior to the referendum, promising that the outcome of the referendum would be implemented. 17.4 million people then voted to leave the European Union, providing the biggest democratic mandate for any course of action ever directed at UK Government.
British people cast their votes once again in the 2017 General Election where over 80% of those who voted, voted for parties, including the Opposition, who committed in their manifestos to upholding the result of the referendum. 

This Government stands by this commitment. 

Revoking Article 50 would break the promises made by Government to the British people, disrespect the clear instruction from a democratic vote, and in turn, reduce confidence in our democracy. As the Prime Minister has said, failing to deliver Brexit would cause “potentially irreparable damage to public trust”, and it is imperative that people can trust their Government to respect their votes and deliver the best outcome for them. 

Department for Exiting the European Union."

Be that as it may, the march and petition appear to have spooked at least some MPs into reconsidering their opposition to the draft withdrawal agreement.

Anyone wishing to discuss this article or brexit, in general, should call me on 020 7404 5252 during office hours or send me a message through my contact form.