Germany's leaders: 'From the bottom of our hearts, we want them to stay'

Some of Germany's highest-ranking leaders have signed an open letter to The Times newspaper asking Britain to think again and consider staying a member of the European Union.

Although the letter is not signed by Angela Merkel it is signed by her successor as head of the Christian Democratic Union, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauerher, who is likely to be the next Chancellor of Germany.

The touching and even emotional note comes as the odds of a People's Vote increases. Theresa May is expected to announce her 'Plan B' to the Commons on 21st January after her deal was voted down by MPs; in what was the worst defeat of any government in parliamentary history.

A portion of the letter reads:

"Sir, Without your great nation, this continent would not be what it is today: a community defined by freedom and prosperity. After the horrors of the second world war, Britain did not give up on us. It has welcomed Germany back as a sovereign nation and a European power. This we, as Germans, have not forgotten and we are grateful.

Because we realise that the freedom we enjoy as Europeans today has in many ways been built and defended by the British people, we want Britons to know that we respect their choice. And should Britain wish to leave the European Union for good, it will always have friends in Germany and Europe. But Britons should equally know that we believe that no choice is irreversible. Our door will always remain open: Europe is home.

Britain has become part of who we are as Europeans. And therefore we would miss Britain. We would miss the legendary British black humour and going to the pub after work hours to drink an ale. We would miss tea with milk and driving on the left-hand side of the road. And we would miss seeing the panto at Christmas. But more than anything else, we would miss the British people — our friends across the Channel. We would miss Britain as part of the European Union, especially in these troubled times. Therefore Britons should know: from the bottom of our hearts, we want them to stay."

A vote on the prime minister's alternative plan is set fr the 29th January following a day of debate. As it stands no faction with in the Commons has a majority for any of the current Brexit proposals on offer.