General election 2017: EU politicians react to Theresa May's Brexit announcement
British Euro MPs welcomed the announcement by the PM that she will go to the country next month to seek the strongest possible mandate with which to face up to Brussels. The prime minister is seeking a thumping majority in the Commons to place her in the best possible position before the EU27 have formally adopted their collective bargaining strategy.
GETTY Theresa May has called a snap General Election
Tory MEPs this morning hailed the history defining announcement as a “decisive and important step” in the Brexit process and said only Mrs May will deliver on the refrendum result. However, other euro representatives criticised the decision, with the SNP branding it a display of “remarkable weakness” and Ukip warning that the PM must not be tempted to water down Brexit.
EU40 Tory MEP Ashley Fox said the vote was a chance to secure a strong Brexit mandate
GETTY But Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said a strong showing for his party would keep the PM honest
Conservative leader in Brussels, Ashley Fox, said: “It is vital that the UK enters the forthcoming talks with the European Union united behind The Prime Minister's negotiating stance. "A clear victory for the Conservatives in a General Election on June 8 will provide the Government with a strong mandate to secure the best deal for Britain and develop a new, deep and positive relationship with our European partners. "It will provide clarity, end uncertainty and help silence those who seek to defy the will of the British people. "Theresa May's announcement today is a strong, decisive and important step along the road to delivering a Brexit that works for both the UK and the EU27." Fellow Tory MEP Syed Kamall added: “"A decisive victory for the Conservative Party will provide clarity for both sides in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, create greater unity within the United Kingdom and provide the basis from which to secure a deal that is in the best interests of people in the UK and across the EU." EU officials initially refused to comment on the shock call, but later said that they were always “in favour” of giving the people a say, with Commission chief spokesman Maragritis Chinas telling reporters: “Elections are good.” Speaking outside Number 10 today, the prime minister said that she had “reluctantly” come to the conclusion that she needed to call an election to ensure that the Government could get on with the job of pulling Britain out of the EU.
It will provide clarity, end uncertainty and help silence those who seek to defy the will of the British people Tory MEP Ashley Fox
But the SNP immediately denounced the decision, with one of its representatives at the European Parliament saying Mrs May’s need to ask the public for a further Brexit mandate demonstrated “remarkable weakness”. Ukip MEP Gerard Batten also laid into the prime minister over the General Election call, accusing her of “political manipulation” and warning she could use the result to seek a watered-down deal with Brussels. However the party’s leader Paul Nuttall struck a more supportive tone, insisting that a strong result for his eurosceptic movement next month would send a strong message to the PM that she must continue to pursue a “clean Brexit”. Mrs May has called a snap General Election for June 8, saying that a resounding victory would strengthen her negotiating hand with Brussels before the other 27 EU member states formally adopt their joint position on Brexit. The leaders of the EU27 are set to discuss the upcoming negotiations at a special Article 50 Council meeting in Brussels on April 29 - the first such get together to be held without a British prime minister being present. Mrs May has set herself on a collision course with the rest of Europe over her insistence that Britain gets back control of its borders, which will lead to the UK leaving the single market.
Politicians react as Theresa May calls snap general election on June 8 Tue, April 18, 2017 UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced her intention to hold an early general election on June 8 Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 5 Theresa May has called for a snap general election