Alfred Sant: EP’s Brexit resolution plays into eurosceptics’ hands

Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant said that a resolution at the European Parliament calling the UK to withdraw from the EU as soon as possible by triggering Article 50, would play into the hands of forces in Europe who will see in it multiple opportunities to call new referenda in other EU states.

Tabling an explanation of vote at the European Parliament, the Maltese MEP said he voted against the resolution submitted jointly by the EPP, the S&D, ALDE and the Greens because there was no legal or political basis to insist that Article 50 should be activated forthwith.

All other MEPs – David Casa, Therese Comodini Cachia, Roberta Metsola and Miriam Dalli – voted in favour of the resolution, except for Labpur MEP Marlene Mizzi who was not present for the vote.

Sant said the UK, which remains a very important part of Europe, was in political turmoil and in no position to start negotiations on leaving the EU.

“Waiting till the situation stabilizes before the leave process takes off, will not affect the current state of uncertainty, and is in the fundamental interests of European, including British, working peoplem,” Sant said.

The Maltese MEP said the way forward, as presented in the resolution, would be incomprehensible to most European citizens and their families, and would not appear as a response to their concerns and fears.

“The resolution does not ask the right questions or provide the right replies – starting a wide discussion on treaty changes, some directed towards increased federalism when no prospects exists to bridge effectively the growing divergences between different regions of the EU, is not the right way forward.

“This should be consolidation and a total insistence on giving priorities to growth policies in Europe. Moreover the approach defined by the resolution will play into the hands of forces who will see in it multiple opportunities to call new referenda,” Sant said.

The resolution passed with 395 voting in favour, 200 voting against and 71 abstaining.

Metsola: Mitigation is key

On her part, Roberta Metsola (PN-EPP) said MEPs had to do what was possible to mitigate the period of uncertainty in the financial markets and among Maltese and other EU citizens living in the UK.

“I voted in favour of a resolution that called for the UK to trigger Article 50 ‘as soon as possible’. This means that we are sending a signal to the UK that, while we are not setting any impossibly tight deadlines, we would like to bring clarity to the situation as soon as possible. That is what people expect from us now. We need to see how best to go about reforming the EU to ensure that it remains ever more relevant to the lives of every citizen and the sooner we start the better.”

Metsola said that while many may regret the choice of the British people, European had to make sure that their will is respected.

“We should not drag out this situation longer than necessary. The negotiations will be tough but I want to make clear that contrary to what Nigel Farage may be saying, there is simply no way that any country can have all the benefits of EU membership without the costs or the responsibilities.”