EU’s ‘heart still open to UK’, says Tusk
European Council President extends olive branch to Britain as call for second EU referendum grows
The UK would be welcomed back into the EU if it changed its mind about Brexit, Donald Tusk has said.
As support for a second EU referendum grows on this side of the Channel, the European Council President appealed to the UK directly, telling MEPs that “our hearts are still open for you”.
He also quoted the Brexit Secretary David Davis, who famously said in 2012: “If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tusk’s comments were welcomed by those Labour and Lib Dem MPs who want a referendum on the final Brexit deal. Last week, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, and the party’s main financial backer Arron Banks, added their voices to the growing call for a second vote. Farage said a second referendum was necessary to “kill the debate for a generation” and claimed people would vote to leave the EU in greater numbers than did in 2016.
Both Downing Street and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have repeatedly ruled out another vote on the EU, however.
Richard Rice, the co-chair of pro-Brexit group Leave Means Leave, told the BBC Brussels had a history of not listening to the views of others and said the decision to leave the EU will not be reversed “despite the best efforts” of those in power.
A similar point was made by arch-Brexiteer and Tory MEP Daniel Hannan, who said on Twitter: “If Tusk and Jean-Claude Junker truly wanted Britain to stay in the EU, they’d propose a looser arrangement. Their refusal to contemplate such things explains why we’re leaving”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What reclassifying cannabis could change
The Explainer The Biden administration's move to change marijuana from a Schedule I narcotic to Schedule III could reshape the pot landscape even if it doesn't mean full federal legalization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: May 9, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: May 9, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is Europe ready to come to its own defense?
Today's Big Question 'There is a risk our Europe could die'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Panama presidency won by stand-in for fugitive
Speed Read José Raúl Mulino was the stand-in candidate for disqualified former president Ricardo Martinelli
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published