Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Josquius]

Johnson's promises that threatening no deal will definitely make the EU do whatever we say are utterly stupid.
On the other hand perhaps the threat that the UK will simply cancel and then re-enact article 50, meaning 2 more years of this, will be enough to make sure the UK gets an extension.

[Tonitrus]

What are the chances the rebellious Parliament would go so far as to pass a bill to cancel Article 50?  That seems a politically risky step (even if the only one to stave off the EU saying "fuck all this") beyond just further delay.

[The Brain]

What are the chances the rebellious Parliament would go so far as to pass a bill to cancel Article 50?  That seems a politically risky step (even if the only one to stave off the EU saying "fuck all this") beyond just further delay.

Would Johnson cancel if ordered to by Parliament?

[Razgovory]

I don't know a great deal of modern British governmental history, but has Parliament been this dysfunctional post-1900?  When I say dysfunctional, I don't mean doing things that are stupid or I disagree with, but trapped by an inability to do anything.  The only thing that Parliament has appears to have been able to accomplish is delay, which really isn't an accomplishment.

[Zoupa]

I have no doubt the EU just wants to see as gone already, but they will not deny an extension - that would make the no deal ordeal their fault, and they won't choose that. Not after the great PR victory for the EU Brexit has turned out to be. Why turn it upside down at the last moment and make Britain the PR winner?

No deal will never be the EU's fault to anyone outside of the UK. Also I'm pretty sure absolutely nobody on the EU side, be it bureaucrats in Brussels or national governments, care about their PR in Great Britain. You're looking at this from a UK political standpoint.

[chipwich]

I don't know a great deal of modern British governmental history, but has Parliament been this dysfunctional post-1900?  When I say dysfunctional, I don't mean doing things that are stupid or I disagree with, but trapped by an inability to do anything.  The only thing that Parliament has appears to have been able to accomplish is delay, which really isn't an accomplishment.

More specifically, have MPs been this incapable of standing up to their leaders?

[Josquius]

I have no doubt the EU just wants to see as gone already, but they will not deny an extension - that would make the no deal ordeal their fault, and they won't choose that. Not after the great PR victory for the EU Brexit has turned out to be. Why turn it upside down at the last moment and make Britain the PR winner?

No deal will never be the EU's fault to anyone outside of the UK. Also I'm pretty sure absolutely nobody on the EU side, be it bureaucrats in Brussels or national governments, care about their PR in Great Britain. You're looking at this from a UK political standpoint.

There are 3 million non British eu citizens in the UK.
Governments do care about their citizens.
If the EU was somehow losing something by giving an extension then sure. Sell them down the river.
But the only downside for the EU is the negotiations take place with the UK on the inside and acting dumb rather than on the outside and recognising its lowly place in the world.

On the one hand sure, the UK has wasted the previous extension. But on the other at least we have seen genuine change since last time around. Things have reached boiling point. A solution, one way or the other, should be due soon on the UK side.

[Zoupa]

Sure 

[chipwich]

It depends on wether Ireland wants a showdown or wants a better outcome. I don't think Ireland really wants a showdown.

[Richard Hakluyt]

It depends on wether Ireland wants a showdown or wants a better outcome. I don't think Ireland really wants a showdown.

It will be a catastrophe for Ireland if no-deal goes ahead. I think this is the main reason for the EU's continued patience; the display of solidarity is also very important for the future of the EU.

[Tamas]

I was thinking, the Queen might refuse to give royal ascent to the anti no-deal law today. That is now the only possible way things could get even worse, and the country/fate has been opting for the worst possible option consistently for the past three years.

[celedhring]

Is there precedent in recent times?

If the Spanish King were to do that it would be a huge, huge constitutional crisis.

[Richard Hakluyt]

The Queen has not rocked the boat yet in her 67-year reign.

[Josquius]

A more interesting, and likely, use of the queen could be if Johnson decides to ignore the law and refuses to do something to go the EU and request an extension or cancellation.

[Zanza]

It depends on wether Ireland wants a showdown or wants a better outcome. I don't think Ireland really wants a showdown.

No deal is better for Ireland than no backstop. In the former case they can still hope to establish the single market again at a later point and keep the shared responsibility for the north. In the latter case, they have accepted permanent division of the island.