THE EU’s decision to back a six-month Brexit delay means the “dream” of a second referendum is now closer to becoming reality, Donald Tusk has said.

In a major boost for Remainers, the Brussels boss said he believes the extra time could be used by europhiles to force another vote on staying in.

And he hinted at a further Article 50 extension or permanent reversal by saying new British euro MPs could keep their seats “longer” than October 31.

But that exposed a rift within the bloc, with Jean-Claude Juncker and Berlin coming out strongly against giving the UK any more time.

Mr Tusk revealed how one EU prime minister told him at last week’s summit he should stop “dreaming” of Brexit being cancelled.

Speaking in Strabousrg yesterday, he said: “I would like to say at this rather difficult moment in our history we need the dreamers and dreams.

“We cannot give into fatalism. At least, I will not stop dreaming about a better and united Europe.”

The Polish eurocrat also rebuked Emmanuel Macron and MEPs who wanted to treat Britain as a “second category” Member State, saying that is not possible.

Of course the UK can request to revoke Article 50.

And he urged EU leaders to continue showing patience with the UK to allow MPs to forge a majority position on our exit.

He said: “I know that on both sides of the Channel everyone, including myself, is exhausted with Brexit, which is completely understandable.

“However this is not an excuse to say let’s get it over with just because we are tired. We must continue to deal with Brexit with an open mind and in a civilised manner.”

Speaking alongside him Commission chief Mr Juncker said the bloc will “never kick out one of its members” but opposed any new Brexit delay.

He said: “October 31 marks the new deadline for the orderly withdrawal of the UK. If the Withdrawal Agreement hasn’t been ratified by the British parliament by then, there will be a hard Brexit that we’d like to avoid.

“Of course the UK can request to revoke Article 50, that’s something that’s been made very clear, but that’s not my working hypothesis.

“And it’s not my working hypothesis either that beyond October 31 we’ll see an extension again.”

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He was backed up by Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas who insisted MPs must vote for the PM’s deal by Halloween or lay out a plan to reverse Brexit.

He told the FT: “They will have to decide what they want by October. You cannot drag out Brexit for a decade.

“Another extension could send the signal that they plan to stay in the EU after all.”

The Sun Says

CHIEF Eurocrat Donald Tusk calls a second referendum an achievable “dream”. For Britain it would be a nightmare.

He has a habit of letting the Brussels cat out of the bag. By suggesting every delay to Brexit makes a second referendum more likely, he’s done it again.

It’s something for MPs to reflect on before they return to Parliament.

Do hard Brexit Tories really want to continue their 21st century version of the Charge of the Light Brigade, rushing into a vote that would be the final triumph of the Remain establishment?

And do those Remainer MPs who put leaflets through doors in 2017 promising to respect the vote really want to face the wrath of voters in a future General Election, after they’ve disregarded the biggest democratic mandate the country has ever seen?

A second referendum would destroy the public’s faith in democracy.

The early stirrings of that will no doubt be seen in the European elections, when the two major parties will surely receive an almighty kicking.

The lesson is clear. Pass a deal — only one of which realistically exists — do it quickly and deliver on 17.4 million votes.

The consequences of failing to do so don’t bear thinking about.

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