Maltese PM: ‘I believe Britain will stay in EU’
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The prime minister of Malta has said he believes “Brexit will not happen”, as he called for Britain to hold a referendum over the terms of its leaving the EU.
“Doubt is creeping in” over leaving the EU among the British public, Joseph Muscat said, as he warned that Brexit would have “disastrous consequences” for the UK.
He called on a British political leader to push for a referendum on the final terms of Brexit, which could pave the way for the UK to remain part of the bloc.
“For the first time, I’m starting to believe that Brexit will not happen. I am seeing hopeful signs that indicate things will change. I see encouraging signs that the tide is turning. I’m not saying the Brits have made a mistake, but the mood is changing,” he said.
“The referendum was democratic, but has resulted in a situation in which everyone loses. Doubt is creeping in. It would be good if a political leader in the UK stands up and is courageous enough to address this new situation. Someone who says: let’s put the Brexit end-deal to a popular vote.”
Theresa May has ruled out a referendum on the final terms of Brexit because she believes that would allow Brussels to push punitive terms on Britain in order to force it to remain a member.
