EU leaders are expected to offer Theresa May a choice between a no deal Brexit and a long Article 50 extension unless the withdrawal treaty is ratified by April 12. But insiders said a number of conditions will be attached to any lengthy delay including a pledge that Britain will not use its EU voting power to block key decisions such as budget increases. A European diplomat said: “A long extension will be conditional on loyal membership obligations.”

A long extension will be conditional on loyal membership obligations

Brussels diplomat

Mrs May will be asked to make a written commitment to voting along with the majority of other member states on important decisions on spending or trade talks.

The loyalty pledge could result in Britain agreeing to proposals on international trade and future EU spending that would result in increased payments.

The move is a clear attempt to stop Britain exploiting its voting rights as an EU member state “with one foot in and the other foot out” in pursuit of its national interest after Brexit.

The EU is prepared to offer Britain an extension as long as the government commits itself to holding European elections with a cut-off date as late as January 1, 2021.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said a long extension would be the only Brexit delay on offer at the EU summit on April 10.

He said: “If the UK is in a position of having approved the withdrawal deal with a viable majority by April 12 in that case the EU would also accept an extension until May 22.

“If the House of Commons does not adopt a positive position before that date no short-term extension will be possible.”

In the Commons, legislation spearheaded by Labour’s Yvette Cooper requiring Mrs May to seek a delay to Brexit rather than risk the UK crashing out on April 12 was passed by 313 votes to 312 last night.

As the Bill to seize control of the Brexit process went through the Commons, Mrs May suffered yet another humiliating defeat as the Government’s attempt to prevent the legislation from limiting the powers of a minister resulted in a 180-vote defeat, with 91 Tory rebels.

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