EU chief writes scathing 'love letter' to Britain about Brexit
EU chief writes scathing ‘love letter’ to Britain about Brexit and criticises the ‘unnecessary damage’ it has done
- Frans Timmermans said Britain was ‘less unique and different than you think;
- The European Commission vice-president said he was ‘deeply hurt’ by Brexit
- He said Britain would ‘always be welcome to come back’ after it leaves in January
A top EU official has written a scathing ‘love letter’ to Britain in which he criticises the ‘unnecessary damage’ caused by Brexit.
Frans Timmermans said Britain was ‘perhaps less unique and different than you think’ as he declared himself ‘deeply hurt’ by the UK’s decision to quit the bloc.
The European Commission vice-president said there was likely more ‘damage’ to follow after Britain leaves on January 31, which is now almost certain following Boris Johnson’s election win.
But Britain would ‘always be welcome to come back,’ Timmermans wrote in his ‘love letter’ for the Guardian.
‘Love letter’: European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans, pictured, declared himself ‘deeply hurt’ by the UK’s decision to quit the EU
‘Was it necessary to force the issue? Not at all. But you did. And the sad thing is, I see it is hurting you,’ said Timmermans, a former Dutch foreign minister.
‘In the process so much unnecessary damage has been done to you, and all of us. And I fear more will follow.
‘Truth be told, I felt deeply hurt when you decided to leave. Three years later I am just sad that a member of our family wants to sever our ties.’
In the letter Timmermans professed his ‘love for Britain’, recalling how he attended St George’s British International School in Rome as a youngster and appeared in a Gilbert and Sullivan production.
But he added: ‘I know you believe yourself to be unique and different. And of course you are in many ways, but perhaps less than you think.’
He said Britain would be welcome to return, but that seems a remote prospect after the pro-Brexit Conservatives won a rampant election victory on December 12.
Campaigners for a second referendum conceded defeat after the snap election, in which the Tories won a majority of 80.
Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal has already passed its first stage in Parliament and is expected to complete its passage in the New Year.
Deadline: Brexit is now almost certain to happen on January 31 after Boris Johnson (pictured) swept to victory at the December 12 general election
Pro-Remain parties such as the Liberal Democrats have yet to say whether they will campaign for Britain to return to the EU fold.
The Scottish National Party, which backed a second referendum, now wants another independence poll in Scotland to keep the country in the EU.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has also previously indicated that Britain could reverse its decision to leave the bloc.
Timmermans was in the reckoning for the European Commission’s top job in marathon EU talks earlier this year, but lost out to Ursula von der Leyen.
The Dutchman had been the lead candidate of the Europe-wide Socialists & Democrats in May’s European Parliament elections.
Timmermans’ alliance came second to Manfred Weber’s centre-right bloc, but both lead candidates were overlooked by EU leaders.
The shadowy process even drew criticism from previous president Jean-Claude Juncker, who criticised it as ‘not very transparent’.
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