ECR Co-Chair and most senior British MEP, Syed Kamall, today urged Westminster to reach a Brexit deal in time to avoid having to participate in next month's European elections, stating: "The time has come for pragmatism. Let's just get it done."

ECR Co-Chair and most senior British MEP, Syed Kamall, today urged Westminster to reach a Brexit deal in time to avoid having to participate in next month’s European elections, stating: “The time has come for pragmatism. Let’s just get it done.”

The co-leader said last week’s further extension of Article 50 until October 31 was not something many people on either side of the Channel wanted.

But he added: “It does give us more time to pursue all options in search of a breakthrough. I sincerely hope that my colleagues in Westminster do not take too long.

“Our economy, our politics and our country need certainty and we must aim for a solution in time to avoid having to participate in the European elections. The time has come for pragmatism. Let’s just get it done.”

Dr Kamall was speaking in a European Parliament debate on the latest Brexit developments. He acknowledged it was a discussion many hoped would not take place, given that the UK was initially due to leave the European Union on March 29 and then April 12.

“But we have to deal with life as it is,” he said. “The British Government is still committed to delivering Brexit in an orderly way and leaving the EU as soon as possible so that people in the UK and the EU can focus on the future and building a lasting partnership.”

Dr Kamall told MEPs that EU membership had been a divisive issue in Britain for many years and those divisions were now playing out across the party divide.

He recognised that the patience of many in Europe was wearing thin but concluded: “As a country, the UK has been in difficult positions before and we have a reputation for seeing things through. This time will be no different.”