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, will 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 is no legal or political basis to insist that Article 50 TEU be activated forthwith.
Dr Sant said the UK, which remains a very important part of Europe, is in political turmoil and in no position to start negotiations on leaving the EU. Waiting till the situation stabilizes there 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 people.
The Maltese MEP said the way forward, as presented in the resolution, will be incomprehensible to most European citizens and their families, and cannot 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.” explained Dr Sant.
The resolution passed with 395 voting in favour, 200 voting against and 71 abstained.