How, for one day, the European parliament became a tribute act to Westminster

The most touching contributions as the UK took its leave were from continental MEPs bidding their British colleagues farewell

MEPs wear friendship scarves in Brussels on Wednesday (AFP/Getty)

The European parliament is normally a pretty clinical affair, at least by comparison to Westminster’s gothic pantomime. Housed in what is essentially a modern office building, its proceedings match the setting: generally pretty dry.

This week has been an exception, however. As British MEPs gave their last speeches on Wednesday night there were tears both on the floor of the debating chamber, and in the gallery overhead.

Whether you found MEPs’ rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” to bid their British colleagues farewell powerful or cringeworthy will probably depend on your view of Brexit. But watching from the gallery, it was evident from the faces on those singing that it meant something to them.

The most touching contributions to the debate were arguably from continental MEPs bidding their British colleagues farewell.

Spanish conservative Esteban Gonzalez Pons appropriated the British habit of constantly bringing up the Second World War, telling the chamber: “It’s been the greatest honour to share the last 46 years with you, but the day will come when we are united again. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but as we learned from your parents: surrender is never an option.”

The presiding speaker, Mairead McGuinness, at one point had to tell MEPs to be quiet – which is fairly unusual in itself. British colleagues were giving the last speeches of their careers, she said, and they would have to be heard. “There’s a restaurant outside, go and have a coffee or something,” she added, in an almost Bercow-esque flourish.

Then there was the business with the Brexit Party MEPs’ waving of miniature British flags, and the heated argument it caused. The whole thing was, frankly, not the usual European parliament – more like a one-day tribute act to Westminster. Whether MEPs realised it or not, that was the most fitting send-off they could provide.

Yours,

Jon Stone

Europe correspondent