May urges MPs to 'reflect' on Brexit impasse over Easter break

British Prime Minister Theresa May urged MPs to use the Easter recess to "reflect" on the Brexit impasse and find ways to get her much-maligned deal through parliament.

Having been given a six-month 'flextension' by the European Union on Thursday, May said she was still determined to get her deal approved before May 22 and avoid the UK's participation in European parliament election.

“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. So that we can leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible,” May told MPs in a statement after Wednesday's emergency EU leaders summit.

“However challenging it may be politically, I profoundly believe that in this unique situation where the house is deadlocked, it is incumbent on both front benches to seek to work together to deliver what the British people voted for. And I think that the British people expect their politicians to do just that when the national interest demands it,” May said.

May faced calls to resign from members of the Eurosceptic wing of her party, although they cannot move against her after failing in a no-confidence vote earlier in the year. Conservative Party rules dictate that a second challenge cannot be mounted for 12 months.

"The choices we face are stark and the timetable is clear. I believe we must now press on at pace with our efforts to reach a consensus on a deal that is in the national interest," she said.

May has been holding talks with the main opposition Labour Party in an effort to reach consensus, much to the fury of the right wing of her party, who want Britain to leave without a deal if necessary.

Under the terms of the latest extension granted by the EU, there will also be a half-time review in June to make sure the UK acted appropriately as a member state, a move insisted on by the French President Emmanuel Macron in response to threats from hard-right Conservatives Brexiteers to disrupt EU business in retaliation for the Brexit delay.

EU Council President Donald Tusk had proposed a one year extension in a letter to EU leaders on Tuesday, although Macron was keen to shorten any delay, signalling a hardening of attitudes in Paris, much to the irritation of other EU leaders who wanted to give the UK as much breathing space as possible.

“I think it is always better to have a piece of something than all of nothing," Tusk said. "Six months, more than six months, it could be enough for a good solution if there is a good will and majority for a good solution in the House of Commons.”

Meanwhile, it emerged on Thursday night that the government had stood down 6,000 seconded civil servants who had been preparing for a no-deal Brexit at an estimated cost of £1.5bn.

The Cabinet Office made the decision to reverse the no-deal plans at a meeting on Thursday morning, Sky News reported, citing a leaked letter.

“In common with the rest of government, we have stood down our no-deal operational planning with immediate effect. This morning, at a meeting chaired by the cabinet secretary, we agreed that the objective is to ensure we wind down our no-deal planning in a careful, considered and orderly way,” said a letter leaked to Sky News.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “As a responsible government, we’ve been preparing for over two years to minimise any disruption in the event of no deal."

"In light of this week’s developments, departments will make sensible decisions about the timing and pace at which some of this work is progressing given that the date we leave the EU has changed, but we will absolutely continue to make all necessary preparations.”