A study by the think tank The UK in a Changing Europe said the results could have a significant impact on the outcome of a Brexit deal with the EU. The elections scheduled for May 23 are set to go ahead following Prime Minister Theresa May’s failure to get Parliament to pass her withdrawal agreement after seeking a Brexit extension to the end of October from Brussels. The report suggested European leaders might change the incentives of prolonging British membership if the Brexit Party gain a large amount of seats.

The study said: “Should, for instance, the Brexit Party gain a large number of seats this may change the incentives of European leaders when deciding about whether to prolong British membership.

“A more fragmented and polarised Parliament might slow down the process of agreeing any future trade deal.”

Professor Anand Menon, director of The UK in a Changing Europe, said: “There is an irony that the upcoming European elections will be the most scrutinised, watched and dissected.

“And yet it remains far from certain whether – and if so for how long – any of the British MEPs will take up their seats.”

The report states: “Like it or not, convincingly or not, many people will portray the election as a proxy Brexit referendum.

“As for the EU itself, the elections will, obviously, have a bearing on the composition of the European Parliament.

“They will determine the balance of power – between pro-European and nationalist-populist forces, and between left and right – and influence important decisions taken about key appointments to top EU jobs and the future agenda for Europe.

“All things being equal, British MEPs will play a part in those debates, even if their tenures do not last much longer than it takes for these initial decisions to be made.

“We face the prospect of British MEPs tilting the balance of power in a certain direction for long enough to shape key decisions, while giving up their seats before the consequences of those decisions become clear.”

Theresa May is currently in cross-party talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to gain some support for her Brexit deal.

However, neither side has reportedly agreed to any conditions.

Mrs May will offer Mr Corbyn three major concessions in return for a deal to break the Brexit logjam.

According to The Sunday Times, Mrs May will offer the opposition a temporary customs arrangement, worker’ rights in line with those in Europe and alignment on regulations on goods.

Source: Read Full Article