EU leaders have said that the UK still has time to reverse its decision on Brexit.
Speaking to MEPs, Donald Tusk suggested in a speech that the UK was still welcome back in the EU if it so wished.
“If the UK government sticks to its decision to leave, Brexit will become a reality – with all its negative consequences – in March next year. Unless there is a change of heart among our British friends.”
“If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy. We, here on the continent, haven’t had a change of heart; our hearts are still open (to Britain).”
President of the European Commission echoed similar sentiments, saying: “[Tusk] said our door still remains open and I hope that will be heard clearly in London.”
Despite calls for a second referendum from those including Tony Blair, Prime Minister Theresa May has remained firm that a second referendum will not take place.
“We will not be having a second referendum,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister.
Even Brexit enthusiast Nigel Farage has suggested that a second referendum may be necessary to “end the moaning”.
“Maybe, just maybe, we should have a second referendum,” he tweeted.
“I think if we had a second referendum on EU membership we’d kill it off for a generation,’’ Farage said on Channel Five. “The percentage that would vote to leave next time would be very much bigger than it was last time.’’
EU leaders also used their speeches to express concerns over plans for the UK’s new blue passports.
Whilst May said that the new blue passports would be an expression of “independence and sovereignty” that reflected “citizenship of a proud, great nation”, Manfred Weber described the change as a “scam”.
“The blue passports are the first and the only real thing the British Government has achieved in more than one-and-a-half years of negotiations.”
“If I were a British citizen I would be deeply worried about the priorities of my government,” he added.