Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Barrister]

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

That's why its so unfortunate that Corbyn is opposition leader.  I agree that a national unity government would have been appropriate - or at least a cross-party coalition on Brexit itself.

But Brexit came about because of a lack of unity.

No - working with members of the opposition to try and come up with a majority vote for some form of a realistic Brexit agreement.  Try and freeze out the Brexit maximalists within her party.

[crazy canuck]

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

The problem is that was what the last general election was supposed to sort out.  But it simply emboldened Corbyn's dithering and put the Conservatives in a minority government position.  That election guaranteed this result.

[Oexmelin]

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

The problem is that was what the last general election was supposed to sort out.  But it simply emboldened Corbyn's dithering and put the Conservatives in a minority government position.  That election guaranteed this result.

I know.   But I still feel that the gravity of the moment was neither properly grasped by May, nor by many of the MPs. Following these results, you either adopt a clear political stance about Brexit that speaks to the population, and to whoever else is willing to listen, or you go to Buckingham and say you can't effectively govern. In trying to manage Brexit through normal procedure, May has achieved basically nothing. She was neither the superior operator that manoeuvering would have required, nor the statesman that could deliver a clear message to Britain about the meaning of Brexit. In effect, that left a whole empty space for the meaning of Brexit to be consumed in endless details that have bored and confused the most dedicated citizen, while the drama behind the curtain has been wholly, and quite visibly unsuccessful.

[crazy canuck]

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

The problem is that was what the last general election was supposed to sort out.  But it simply emboldened Corbyn's dithering and put the Conservatives in a minority government position.  That election guaranteed this result.

I know.   But I still feel that the gravity of the moment was neither properly grasped by May, nor by many of the MPs. Following these results, you either adopt a clear political stance about Brexit that speaks to the population, and to whoever else is willing to listen, or you go to Buckingham and say you can't effectively govern. In trying to manage Brexit through normal procedure, May has achieved basically nothing. She was neither the superior operator that manoeuvering would have required, nor the statesman that could deliver a clear message to Britain about the meaning of Brexit. In effect, that left a whole empty space for the meaning of Brexit to be consumed in endless details that have bored and confused the most dedicated citizen, while the drama behind the curtain has been wholly, and quite visibly unsuccessful.

I agree.  May is a modern, keep power at any costs, kind of politician. 

[Tonitrus]

I believe it. If the 2019 British had been planning D-Day we would be working out on plans on the back of cocktail napkins on the night of June 5th.

Even Monty could have taken Caen in the time May has been given.

[garbon]

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

That's why its so unfortunate that Corbyn is opposition leader.  I agree that a national unity government would have been appropriate - or at least a cross-party coalition on Brexit itself.

But Brexit came about because of a lack of unity.

No - working with members of the opposition to try and come up with a majority vote for some form of a realistic Brexit agreement.  Try and freeze out the Brexit maximalists within her party.

With everyone pulling in all directions, I think it would be near impossible to find enough people up for what you are suggesting.

[mongers]

Just 241 hours to Brexit.

At least British Summer Time clock change, otherwise we'd have to face it with a possibly crucial one less hour than that. 

[PJL]

My prediction.

May will get her extension to the end of June from the EU. MV3 will get voted on next week but fail. The EU will grant her another extension until the end of 2020. MV4 will pass ln the next few weeks, but only with a promise of a referendum on May's deal or Remain. However, this referendum will be qualified with a 40% turnout threshold. So if it fails, the referendum result is annulled. That way, everyone is happy, except possibly Corbyn. Remainers can vote to stay in, Moderates can vote for the deal, and Brexiteers can boycott it.

[mongers]

I kid you not:

Meaningful Vote 3 could be on Thursday March 28 - the day before Brexit. Channel 4 News Political Editor @GaryGibbonBlog reports.

#Brexit999 pic.twitter.com/s4lQvlkhMr

[The Brain]

Sigh.

[Duque de Bragança]

I kid you not:

Meaningful Vote 3 could be on Thursday March 28 - the day before Brexit. Channel 4 News Political Editor @GaryGibbonBlog reports.

#Brexit999 pic.twitter.com/s4lQvlkhMr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qbRHY1l0vc

[Josquius]

What on earth happened to the 'no to no deal' vote?
Shouldn't May be putting maximum effort into delaying?

There should have been either a government of national unity to deal with this crisis - for it was a crisis of that magnitude, or a a general election long ago - and as soon as it was clear that so many of the Conservative Brexiters were delusional.

The problem is that was what the last general election was supposed to sort out.  But it simply emboldened Corbyn's dithering and put the Conservatives in a minority government position.  That election guaranteed this result.

Yes, the last election did lead to this headless approach to Brexit really.
May called the last election fully expecting to take advantage of the referendum and the oft repeated by brexiters stat that most seats voted leave.
The Tories of course were the only mainstream party to be pro leave (well, officially neutral, but mostly pro-leave) so she expected she could make the election all about brexit and sweep up half the vote whilst the left wing pro-remain vote was split.

Corbyn however made an excellent tactical decision in utterly refusing to allow brexit to be an issue in the election, instead focusing on the real issues afflicting the country, with the result of significant Labour gains and Tory losses.

The trouble is this left Labour vindicated on their ignore brexit and hope it goes away approach.

I think it was the right decision for Labour to take this approach to the last election. But they've really held on much too long. They should have come off the fence before now and actually outlined a solid credible soft brexit alternative; it wouldn't be hard, they could effectively just copy and paste what Switzerland has.

[Razgovory]

A referendum got them into this, why can't there be a referendum to decide to accept the negotiated deal or a hard Brexit?

[mongers]

A referendum got them into this, why can't there be a referendum to decide to accept the negotiated deal or a hard Brexit?

It's certainly a possibility, but what about the other options, remain etc?

[Admiral Yi]

It's certainly a possibility, but what about the other options, remain etc?

Because then you ratify the status quo, which is a four way gridlock.