Brexit Madness!

Since returning to the UK last year, there has only been one word on peoples lips ‘Brexit.’ Everyone has a view or opinion about what Britain should do and just how we should leave the European Union. Soft Brexit, hard Brexit or no deal, just three of the options on the table and not one of them a clear choice for the powers that be.
 
The last few weeks have been a ‘car crash’ for the negotiations to leave on March 29th 2019, a date that will now pass without fanfare. The only difference to the current situation we are facing, is we really have no firm leaving date at all; all options are open. Parliament initially rejected the draft withdrawal agreement mainly because of the ‘backstop’ clause in the document. The backstop is essentially a security measure, intended to ensure there is no hard boarder between Northern and Southern Ireland, in the event that no formal trade agreement can be reached later down the line. In effect if no arrangement is agreed, Northern Ireland would remain in the Customs Union and single market, thus creating a frictionless boarder. The main objection to this clause is that Britain could still be tied to Europe, with no firm time limit on the backstop specified. For many MP’s it is unthinkable that Northern Ireland would remain within the regulatory structure of the EU, split from the rest of the United Kingdom, threatening the very fabric of the union itself.
 
Members of Parliament voted on a series of amendments to the withdrawal bill, charging Theresa May with the difficult task of renegotiating the agreement with Brussels, removing the backstop from the draft document; on top of this they have signaled their objection to a ‘No Deal Brexit,’ which seems to be at odds with the demands they are placing on the Prime Minister. The European Union have already stated they will not renegotiate the deal on the table, so it would seem we are heading for a ‘No Deal Brexit’ anyway. Europe was in no mood for compromise; Theresa May returned to Britain empty handed and had to ask Members of Parliament to vote for a second time on her original bill. Once again the proposed withdrawal agreement was scuppered and Theresa May lost for a second time.
 
When I lived in Spain, I wasn’t truly in touch with how the British felt about Brexit. I heard snippets of information, but essentially my life carried on very much in the same vein it always had. Brexit really wasn’t affecting me on a daily basis, so I just chose to ignore it. Here in the UK, you just can’t get away from the stress of this highly contentious topic. Only yesterday the news announced more job losses as a result of the instability in the UK economy and with other famous brands threatening to relocate their Head Offices and foreign nationals packing their bags in readiness to leave in a few short months, none of us are completely sure how this saga will end.

Tonight Members of The House of Commons will vote on a series of Indicative amendments, hopefully suggesting a way forward in this exhausting Brexit process. Rather than saying what they don't want, MP's are charged with expressing a view on what they do want. So far Parliament has been unable to decide how to proceed, only stating its opposition to Theresa May's deal with the EU. A consensus may well be reached tonight, or not, depending on just where politicians want to go next. Revoking Article 50, leaving with a 'no deal,' a new referendum on the withdrawal agreement or a delay to Brexit itself, just a few of the options that will be considered. Of course if no one choice emerges as the favourite, the Prime Minister is likely to once again put her deal on the table, simply because it is the only way Brexit can be delivered. Nothing is certain as politicians from all sides try and break this Brexit impasse.
 
Personally I think Parliament will support the withdrawal agreement in the end, they really don’t have a choice; in their eyes the alternative is far worse. I believe we should just walk away and get on with it, if that is what it takes then so be it; as a nation we have survived before and will do so again. Having the courage to do what is necessary is vital for the prosperity of all, we should not sign a deal at any cost. The uncertainty and instability up and down the country at present is destroying the economy, indeed the very fabric of society. It is essential the Government does all it can to finally move the debate forward, signaling its intentions to end the deadlock!

Today is yet another crucial day in the Brexit story. Every week for as long as I can remember has been a milestone in this ongoing serial drama. The twists and turns of an embattled nation has been aired for all the World to see and as we pass the original leaving day of 29 March, the waters seem muddier than ever before. It looks likely however the PM will win through, the threat of Britain not leaving the EU will be too much for Brexiteers to stomach and finally we will be able to once again forge our own way in the World. Until that day finally comes, the spectacle of a Country at war with itself will continue and there are likely to be more difficult days ahead. All of us looking on with baited breath are watching history in the making, the final chapter about to be written; what happens tonight will be pivotal for the story of our nation, as Brexit slowly, painfully comes to an end!

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