British government prepares groundwork to hold European elections

The British government has laid the groundwork that would enable it to participate in the European Parliament elections next month, should the UK still find itself in the EU by the time the vote takes place.

The move signals a possibility that Brexit could be delayed beyond the May 23 election date — nearly three years after Britons voted in a referendum to leave the EU — locking the UK into participating in the European poll. But the Cabinet Office cautioned that taking the legal steps did not mean elections were “inevitable,” saying they would be canceled if the UK has quit the EU by the eve of the vote.

“It remains the government’s intention to leave the EU with a deal and pass the necessary legislation before 22 May, so that we do not need to participate in European Parliamentary elections,” a Cabinet Office spokesperson told CNN.

“As a responsible government today we have taken the necessary steps required by law should we have to participate,” a government spokesman said in a statement.

“It does not make these elections inevitable, as leaving the EU before the date of election automatically removes our obligation to take part.”

Via CNN / Reuters