Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament acknowledge the decisive result in the UK elections. As hard as it is for the Progressive family, the results of this election returns a Parliament that has a majority in favour of backing a negotiated Brexit.
S&D president Iratxe García said:
“I cannot hide my sadness and disappointment in the result. I continue to believe that the UK's place is within the Union, and I hope that the voice of the young Brits will slowly persuade British society that we belong together. However we have to accept that the election results give a mandate to the Conservative majority in the Parliament to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as negotiated.
“After three and a half years of uncertainty we need to move ahead. It is our responsibility to protect both the peace process on the island of Ireland and the integrity of the EU internal market. We will always be friends and partners with the United Kingdom, but an honest friendship also means a fair relationship on a level playing field.”
S&D Group spokesperson on Brexit, Pedro Silva Pereira, said:
"The UK election results are not good either for the EU or the UK but, as always, the vote has to be fully respected. The House of Commons now has a Conservative majority with a mandate to pursue an orderly Brexit and ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as negotiated, avoiding any no deal scenario. The S&D Group will continue to take a constructive approach in building a future relationship that serves our common interests while safeguarding the Irish peace process, the integrity of the single market and protecting citizens' rights. Looking towards the future relationship, we need to guarantee our shared high standards of environmental, social and labour protection through strong and binding commitments to a level playing field."
