Unfazed May seeks to keep Brexit plan going despite setback

Calls up EU’s top official Juncker to convey her intention to start the exit process by March-end.

British Prime Minister Theresa May seen with European Union’s top official and European Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker at the EC headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in this October 21, 2016 photo. The High Court of Justice ruling enjoining her government to seek parliamentary nod for Brexit has not deterred Ms. May, who called up Mr. Juncker to convey her plans of starting the exit process by March-end.

British Prime Minister Theresa May sought Friday to reassure European Union (EU) leaders that her timetable for Britain to leave the 28-member bloc remains intact despite a court ruling requiring lawmakers to have more of a say in the next step towards Brexit.

She telephoned Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU’s top official and European Commission president, to spread the word that her plan is still to start the process to remove Britain from the EU by the end of March.

Mr. Juncker told Ms. May that he respects Britain’s constitutional order and that the timing of Brexit was in the hands of British authorities, EU spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said after the brief call.

After HC ruling

The call came a day after a High Court ruling that the government needs Parliament’s approval before invoking Article 50 of the EU treaty, which formally begins a two-year countdown to Britain’s exit. The decision by the three-man court has the potential to delay that process.

The government is appealing the ruling at the Supreme Court with a hearing expected next month. If the country’s highest court rules against the government, Parliament will become directly involved in discussions over how the Brexit process begins.

A number of lawmakers from opposition parties, in particular, have made clear they want assurances from the government that it won’t be going for a so-called “hard Brexit” that will see Britain leave the European single market of more than 500 million people.

Early general election?

The court decision on Thursday has stoked speculation that Ms. May will look to call an early general election in the spring of next year. Her Conservative Party stands to win an overwhelming majority, according to a run of opinion polls.

A number of pro-Brexit newspapers reacted with venomous anger to the court decision, arguing that it went against the will of the British people stemming from the June 23 referendum and slowed down the unchecked arrival of immigrants from other EU countries into Britain.

Daily slams judges

The Daily Mail tabloid front page characterised the three High Court judges as “Enemies of the People.” Its editorial complained that “three members of an out-of-touch clique” were willing to frustrate the wishes of the more than 17 million people who voted in favor of leaving the 28-nation grouping.

The more measured Daily Telegraph headlined its front page- “The judges versus the people,” and carried a front-page column by UK Independence Party interim leader Nigel Farage saying the court ruling means that “a great betrayal is under way.”