Only the U.K. can trigger Article 50. And in my judgement, we should only do that when there is a clear view about what new arrangements we are seeking with our European neighbours.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
What's important is that we do this in the right timescale to get the right deal for the U.K. We shouldn't invoke Article 50 immediately.
The decision to trigger Article 50 is in the hands of the next prime minister. If that is me, I will make a judgement as to when is right for Britain, and I won't be hurried or hassled by anyone into pressing that button or triggering that article until I believe it is right for this country.
We want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union.
I worry about the direction of the U.K. and U.K. politics and governance in the event of a Brexit.
I think the U.K. is too small to write about from within it and still make it seem foreign and exotic and interesting.
Even if the Brits decide to remain, we will have to avoid a contagion on other countries.
We work well together with the United Kingdom - particularly, perhaps, when we talk about new rules for the European Union.
You can suddenly have a series of countries waking up and saying, 'I want the same status as the Brits,' which will be, de facto, the dismantling of the rest of Europe.
It does not seem to me that the steps which would be needed to make Britain - and others - more comfortable in their relationship in the European Union are inherently so outlandish or unreasonable.
England has collapsed politically, monetarily, constitutionally, and economically. It is not reasonable to demand from them to trigger Article 50.