In reply to stevieb:
> Isn't the timing also potentially unhelpful?
> But, if we want to extend article 50 beyond March, and hold a referendum before staying in the EU, then this would need approval from all other EU members, and we would potentially lose our rebate and our veto?
It doesn't seem to have actually clarified much in reality. If we extend A50 to hold a referendum we enter a new agreement anyway with rules to be decided though likely we would be allowed to remain without penalty if we committed to decide definitively in a timely manner.
If we withdraw notification to hold a referendum, vote to accept the deal and leave then there is no guarantee the same deal would be available upon re-submission given a dim view would likely be taken of such game playing and we would likely by then be dealing with a new commission and new or changing governments in Europe.
Still, I suppose it's one potential legal obstacle knocked down and a useful piece of political theatre, reminding MPs that they don't actually have to jump just because they've been lead to the cliff edge.
jk
Post edited at 11:23