Press release

The UK will not nominate a new Commissioner to the EU

The UK will not nominate a new Commissioner to the EU as it prepares to leave on 31 October 2019.

• From: Department for Exiting the European Union
• Published: 23 August 2019

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Letter from the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU Sir Tim Barrow

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The UK will not nominate a new Commissioner to the EU as it prepares to leave on 31 October 2019.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU Sir Tim Barrow has written to the EU to confirm that the UK will not be nominating a candidate for the 2019-2024 College of Commissioners.

This delivers on the commitment that Prime Minister Boris Johnson made to the House of Commons on 25 July.

The Government has been clear that we are leaving the EU on 31 October whatever the circumstances. Given that the new Commission will not be taking up office until after we have left (1 November) we will not need a new Commissioner.

The Prime Minister was clear in his statement to the House of Commons that our decision not to appoint a new Commissioner should not prevent the EU from appointing a new Commission. This letter will enable the EU to proceed without a UK nominee.

Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the EU Steve Barclay said:

“We are leaving the EU on 31 October. As a departing member state we will not be involved in the new Commission so it would be a distraction to nominate a new Commissioner.

“This is part of the UK’s ongoing preparations for Brexit which allows us to focus on our future relationship with the EU while continuing to explore new opportunities with partners across the world.”

Background:

• All Member States have been invited to submit nominations for Commissioners by 26 August 2019.
• The Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons on 25 July that the UK will not nominate a UK commissioner for the new Commission and this is not intended to stop the EU appointing a new Commission.
• Sir Tim Barrow has written to the Secretary-General of the European Council and the Head of the Transition Team of European Commission President-elect to confirm this.
• The letter also confirms that the UK is content for the European Council to proceed with the adoption of the list of candidates without a UK candidate.

Published 23 August 2019