Brexit debate scheduled for 1 April.

The House of Commons has responded to the almost six million people who signed the petition to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU, promising a debate on Monday 1 April.

The counter of citizens asking the government to make a U-turn on Brexit is still clicking up in real time on the House of Commons petitions website, with signatures fast approaching the 6m level as we write, including those from Italy nearing the 6,000 mark.

As Wanted in Rome reported earlier this week, that is only around 0.1 per cent of total people who have signed, and is also only a small proportion of the British expat community in Italy, variously estimated at between 40,000 and 75,000.

Now emails are going out to supporters of the petition, confirming it has been accepted and promising a debate next Monday, and a follow-up message with a transcript and a video of the debate.  

Good news for supporters?  Well, not quite. That was parliament (pictured) promising to talk about the request, but the government position – that’s a different organisation – remains adamant: “This Government will not revoke Article 50. We will honour the result of the 2016 referendum and work with Parliament to deliver a deal that ensures we leave the European Union.”

“The Government acknowledges the considerable number of people who have signed this petition,” says the statement. “However, close to three quarters of the electorate took part in the 2016 referendum, trusting that the result would be respected.”

The debate will be carried live on parliamentlive.tv on 1 April.