MPs go on 11-day Easter break hours after EU warned Britain ‘don’t waste Brexit extension’

THERESA May finally got a cheer today after sending MPs on an 11-day Easter break. She urged MPs to use their time off to “reflect” on how to break the Brexit impasse. But she risked ridicule after announcing the holiday despite telling MPs that “nothing today is more pressing or more vital”. And she announced […]

THERESA May finally got a cheer today after sending MPs on an 11-day Easter break.

She urged MPs to use their time off to “reflect” on how to break the Brexit impasse.

PA:Press Association

But she risked ridicule after announcing the holiday despite telling MPs that “nothing today is more pressing or more vital”.

And she announced the Easter holiday just hours after EU Council President Donald Tusk warned Britain not to “waste” the Brexit extension granted at the mammoth Brussels summit on Wednesday night.

Begging MPs to come to a decision soon, Mr Tusk said: “Please do not waste this time.”

Downing Street said Mrs May would herself be taking a break next week – rumoured to be Wales.

But her spokesman said she had no plans yet for any walking holiday, which famously triggered the last General Election.

A No10 spokesman said MPs “could use a break” and urged them to use it “in the way they feel most appropriate”.

In an email to all Tory MPs today the Government chief whip Julian Smith wrote: “The last several weeks have been challenging and tiring for everyone and I would like to thank you for all your patience.”

Addressing MPs in the Commons Mrs May said: “Let us use the opportunity of the Recess to reflect on the decisions that will have to be made swiftly on our return after Easter. And let us then resolve to find a way through this impasse.”

MPs erupted in cheers after Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom announced the holiday. They have already lost two weeks of holiday as the Government attempted to break the Brexit deadlock.

Labour MP Chris Bryant rejoiced at the news – saying: “I’m delighted we’re having an Easter recess.

“At the rate we were going I thought we would get to Easter Sunday and the good Lord would rise again before this House ever did.”

PA:Press Association

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