BREXIT BILL
EU elections WILL go ahead costing us £150m because of Brexit deadlock
Theresa May doesn't want us to take part but it's still going to cost us £156million
EU elections WILL go ahead because of the Brexit deadlock - and it will cost Britain £150million.
Theresa May repeatedly said it would be "unacceptable" for Britain to have to take part in the European polls to elect a new raft of MEPs, but now she's got no choice as she's not secured a Brexit deal yet.
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But today Cabinet Minister David Lidington told the BBC: "Given how little time there is, it's regrettable not going to be possible to finish that process before its legally due for the European Parliamentary elections.
"Legally, they do have to take place... so those will now go ahead.
"We will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to make sure the delay is as short as possible."
He said ideally MEPs would never have to take their seats in the European Parliament, and it would be done and dusted by the summer recess.
The PM's spokesperson said this afternoon Mrs May deeply regretted having to take part.
They said: "She understands that many members of the public will feel deeply frustrated about this".
MP Tom Pursglove blasted: "Simply shouldn't be happening. There's no getting away from the fact we could have left by now.
"People will be furious being asked to vote in elections they never wanted and which shouldn't be on."
Tories have already blasted the elections as a total waste of money that could be far better spent as we leave the EU.
And now it's emerged that the cost is set to rocket from around £110million to £156million since the elections were last held.
The extra cash includes £4.5million of money to be set aside for parties which could have to be reimbursed if the representatives never take up their seats.
Deposits for those who say they will stand will have to be repaid if the election is scrapped, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Staffing and officers will come to around £96million and another £50million is earmarked for posting out polling cards and information.
Brexiteer MP Peter Bone told the paper: "It’s a complete waste of public money because there is absolutely no need for these elections, and it should be spent on things people care about, whether that’s operations in hospitals or more police on the streets."
Government sources insisted the money was going up because there were no other elections happening on that day, unlike in 2014.
The Tories are set for a drubbing in the upcoming poll, as voters punish them for failing to deliver Brexit.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage's Brexit party are set to dominate, and are on track to WIN the election, one bombshell poll revealed.
The PM is still in talks with Labour over a possible deal in the hope they can avoid taking part in the polls, or take part in them but the candidates never take their seats up.
Discussions between the Government and the Opposition were set to take place this afternoon, and Mrs May was rumoured to offer them a customs union deal soft Brexit.
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However, MPs from both sides are fuming with their leaders.
Tories hate the idea of a customs union which would deliver us a soft Brexit without the ability to get trade deals done with countries around the world.
And Labour MPs are demanding a second referendum on leaving the EU as the price of their support - something neither Mr Corbyn nor Mrs May want to promise.
Nigel Farage's Brexit Party is recruiting 650 candidates for the next general election
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