Britain's political parties have been formally told by the electoral regulator to prepare to fight the European Parliament elections in two months' time as fears of a lengthy delay to Brexit grow.
In a move that is likely to ignite anger among Brexiteers, fresh guidance running to 23 page booklet seen by the Sunday Telegraph has been made available to political parties by the Electoral Commission.
The document states as fact to parties hoping to stand candidates that "on 23 May 2019 voters in the United Kingdom will cast their ballot to elect 73 Members of the European Parliament." Sunday Telegraph.