'We would miss tea with milk': Group of prominent Germans urge UK to remain in EU
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is among German Anglophiles who have urged the UK to reverse Brexit.
Friday 18 January 2019 21:46, UK
A group of prominent Germans has written a letter urging Britain to rethink Brexit, saying they would miss milk with tea and post-work pints.
Led by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is in line to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor - the letter to The Times thanks Britain for not giving up on them after the Second World War.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and business leaders like Thomas Enders, chief executive of Airbus, are also signatories.
It marks a change in tone from Berlin, where some have taken a hard line over Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
The letter reads: "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."
It adds that Britons will always have friends in Germany and Europe but says "no choice is irreversible".
The impassioned plea also adds some of Germany's favourite things about the UK, including "the legendary British black humour and going to the pub after work hours to drink an ale, tea with milk and driving on the left-hand side of the road... the panto at Christmas."
Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer was elected to be the next CDU leader in December, as Ms Merkel prepares to stand down at the end of the current parliamentary term in 2021.
She is likely to play a key role in Britain's future relationship with the EU and Germany if the CDU retains its strong position.
Airbus boss Mr Enders previously warned that Brexit would be bad for the aerospace industry "whatever the outcome".
He accused the UK government of having "no clue" how to deliver Brexit.
The letter was signed by 31 German Anglophiles.