Belgium Said to Push for Take-It-or-Leave Offer to U.K.
- Belgians suggest clause to make clear renegotation is final
- Aim is to prevent discussion of second `Brexit' referendum
'Brexit' Summit Opens Aimed at Keeping U.K. in EU
Belgium is pushing for a take-it-or-leave clause to be inserted into any deal between the European Union and the U.K., in an effort to prevent campaigners for a British exit making a surprise “second referendum” offer, two European officials said.
Belgium has suggested making clear in the papers accompanying an agreement on renegotiated membership terms that the deal is a final offer, and that a referendum vote to quit would be binding, according to the two officials speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. This would be aimed at not only killing talk of a second vote but also discouraging other countries from triggering plebiscites to force their own EU side deals.