As MEPs prepare to vote on the deal that will take the UK out of the EU this week, a highly-charged event in Parliament’s main chamber heard Richard Corbett, who leads the Labour delegation, recall the contribution his party had made to parliamentary and EU life over the years.
This includes Roy Jenkins, a former Commission President, Pauline Green, former leader of the Socialist group in Parliament, Julian Priestley, a former Secretary General of Parliament and David Martin, one of the longest-ever serving MEPs.
Wearing a Labour scarf and noting that it was the “first time” he had been given a standing ovation even before a speech, Corbett spoke of the “heartbreak” of Brexit.
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He said, “Today is especially moving and am I feeling this very deeply.”
He recalled his first experience of the EU when, in 1975, he joined a demonstration outside the Council in support of direct elections to the Parliament.
These came about in 1979 and he said that since then there had been a “transformation” in parliamentary proceedings and policies.
“At first this was just a consultative Parliament but, now, no EU legislation can be adopted without its agreement.”
“There is no wholehearted support for Brexit in the UK, especially among the young and I believe that, over time as the promises don’t materialise and people realise Brexit is not working, the public may get the chance to have another say” Richard Corbett MEP
He told the packed audience consisting of Socialist group staff that 53 percent of those who voted in the recent UK election had voted for parties seeking a second Brexit referendum.
“There is no wholehearted support for Brexit in the UK, especially among the young and I believe that, over time as the promises don’t materialise and people realise Brexit is not working, the public may get the chance to have another say.
“That is why we are not saying goodbye but merely au revoir today. Until then, though, you will have to go on fighting without us, at least for some time.”
His comments were echoed by colleague Rory Palmer, who said he feared for young people, adding, “I have two kids, aged 2 and 4, and I want them to grow up feeling proud Europeans.”
“It may take some time, maybe their generation, but I do believe we will be back one day.”
Julie Ward, another Labour member, said, “I have a British/Belgian family and I too feel sad for our children. This should not be about national dividing lines. All we have achieved here is now at risk.”
EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans agreed that the British may return to the EU “where they belong.”
“The British, like all human beings, are entitled to change their minds” Frans Timmermans
He said, “The British, like all human beings, are entitled to change their minds.”
Theresa Griffin, another Labour deputy, told the hour-long event that returning to the EU fold “will not be easy but we must expose this uncaring Tory Brexit.”
PES president Sergei Stanishev told the meeting that that “millions have marched to demonstrate against Brexit and this should give us optimism.”
He added, “We have cherished the presence of Labour colleagues here but life does not end today. Labour was a founding member of PES and the fight continues.”
Several other colleagues voiced similar sentiments via video links with the UK Labour delegation getting a two-minute standing ovation at the end.