Thursday, January 31, 2019
Political Mayhem Thursday: Meanwhile, in Europe....
For those following along at home, the UK voted by referendum to exit the EU. The hope within the UK was to negotiate an agreement where they could keep some of the good parts of the Union while pulling out. A key sticking point was the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which was open so long as both were in the EU, with great advantages to a lasting peace there.
UK Prime Minister Teresa May, a Tory, negotiated what she thought was the best deal she could get. However, the Parliament rejected it overwhelmingly. Now the EU is pretty much shrugging and saying "that's the best deal you're going to get." If the UK exits the EU without a deal, things get... messy. Like, planes not being able to land in London anymore messy.
According to the Financial Times, here are some of the key events coming up in the Brexit debacle:
Early February: May goes back to the EU seeking a new deal.
Feb. 13: May updates the House of Commons on any progress.
Late February: Perhaps a vote on a new deal or the one already rejected.
March 29: "Brexit Day"-- this is when the UK leaves the EU, barring an extension.
In other words, things are going to get really interesting over in London over the next few months...
Comments:
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I’m living in the UK at the moment.
This dominates the news, and rightfully so. As an outsider, I’ve formed a few take-always.
1). Not many people understand what Brexit meant when the vote happened, and certainly not the consequences.
2). Theresa May is roundly unpopular. I don’t think I’ve heard any positive response about her handling of this situation. The lack of a deal is widely attributed to her.
3). The EU is stronger than almost all Brits believed. The UK didn’t have a strong bargaining position going in, and it shows.
4). No one seems to agree on what a good exit deal would look like.
I get the feeling the citizens do have two collective thoughts through: “It seemed like a good idea at the time” and “Now what?”
This dominates the news, and rightfully so. As an outsider, I’ve formed a few take-always.
1). Not many people understand what Brexit meant when the vote happened, and certainly not the consequences.
2). Theresa May is roundly unpopular. I don’t think I’ve heard any positive response about her handling of this situation. The lack of a deal is widely attributed to her.
3). The EU is stronger than almost all Brits believed. The UK didn’t have a strong bargaining position going in, and it shows.
4). No one seems to agree on what a good exit deal would look like.
I get the feeling the citizens do have two collective thoughts through: “It seemed like a good idea at the time” and “Now what?”
The Brexit vote was manipulated by the Russians like the U.S. election of Trump. Lots of media messing and messaging to up the vote for exit. A new vote would likely result in a different outcome.
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