Frans Timmermans is the lead candidate for the socialist block of the European Parliament to take over the leadership of the European Commission when current boss Jean-Claude Juncker retires in October. During a debate with fellow candidate Manfred Weber, Mr Timmermans admitted to hoping the UK would cancel Brexit and "revoke Article 50" during the new extension period scheduled to end on October 31. Speaking to France 24, the Dutch politician said: "I absolutely hope that the UK might stay in the European Union. Absolutely.
"I think it would be good for the UK and it would be good for the European Union."
Discussing the ongoing deadlock gripping the negotiations between the British Government and European echelons, Mr Timmermans laid the blame of the "irresponsible" David Cameron for seeking to resolve "internal struggles" in the Conservative Party with his pledge to hold an EU referendum.
He continued: "What we saw is incredibly irresponsible behaviour of one political party because, throughout the years, Brexit was never high on the British people’s agenda.
"If you asked them ‘what are you worried about?’ it was about the NHS, about education, social justice. Then somewhere around nine, ten on the list, was Europe.
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Brexit news: Timmermans said he would be happy for Britain to remain in the EU (Image: FRANCE 24•NUMBER 10)
"Europe was nice to moan about, to complain about, but it was not something people wanted a
