- In a series of non-binding votes last week, Parliament approved a short delay of Britain’s divorce from the European Union, and ruled out the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. They also resoundingly rejected both Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal and a second referendum.
- The Prime Minister will ask for an extension at a March 21 European Council summit. She’ll need the support of all 27 remaining EU states, and a good reason. May will present her deal to Parliament, again, possibly by Tuesday.
- A long Brexit delay could mean up to five more years of Nigel Farage. Elections to the European Parliament are set to take place between May 23-26, and should the United Kingdom be given a lengthy extension, beyond the end of June, Britons might be obligated to participate. The Prime Minister is pushing for a short, technical extension to avoid returning MEPs back to Brussels.
- The main stumbling block over May’s deal is a wall (actual or metaphorical) between the United Kingdom and its only land border with the European Union, on the island of Ireland. What all sides— Brussels, London, Dublin, and Belfast— can agree on is there should be no “hard border” between the Republic and Northern Ireland. Yet, neither Stormont nor Westminster want a border in the Irish Sea, and the wall has to go somewhere.
- To the supporters of a “clean Brexit,” last week’s votes in Parliament were nothing short of a betrayal. “If the public had wanted to think again about their Brexit vote, or had wanted a second referendum,” said Conservative MP John Redwood, “they would have voted Liberal Democrat at the last election.” If Britain does not leave, as promised, on March 29, “many will feel cheated by democracy and turn to new parties who will stand up for Brexit.”
Two Weeks ’til Brexit: Now What?
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