I think the General Election is the key.
Even if Brussels tells them to end the farce, the current government is well capable of stalling the EU for a few months. It will make them look tough and decisive to the electorate
. Always ready to protect the "National Interest" (even when they're damaging it).
I would expect the stopover to be axed just AFTER the election. The new government will hope it will all be forgotten by the 2006(or whenever) election.
Regards,
V.