The Summer 2016 UK Political and Constitutional Crisis

[derspiess]

Quite a few vociferous Brexiters said to me that with a Leave vote, the UK would then have the ability to go back to the EU and negotiate far better deals.

If they thought about it a little, it would have been clear that was never a realistic outcome, today's European response underlines that. 

Once Europe unbunches its panties, it will play ball.

[Valmy]

Once Europe unbunches its panties, it will play ball.

Yeah that was what South Carolina said. Of course Euro Lincoln probably would have.

But seriously if it plays ball and gives a great deal to the UK wouldn't that pretty much be signing its own death warrant?

[frunk]

As far as I can tell the UK already has a pretty sweet deal with the EU.  I'm not sure what else it could really hope for that the EU could offer without destroying itself.

[PJL]

Poor Gibraltar, nobody's mentioned then yet. My prediction, they'll have a referendum to whether to join Spain or not, and they'll vote massively in favour.

[PJL]

As for my earlier prediction, well I'll get Paddy Ashdown's hat and eat it.

[Valmy]

Poor Gibraltar, nobody's mentioned then yet. My prediction, they'll have a referendum to whether to join Spain or not, and they'll vote massively in favour.

You get a referendum! You get a referendum! EVERYBODY GETS A REFERENDUM!

Though I guess for Spain it will be nice to see somebody who wants to join instead of leave for once.

[Barrister]

Poor Gibraltar, nobody's mentioned then yet. My prediction, they'll have a referendum to whether to join Spain or not, and they'll vote massively in favour.

I doubt it, unless Spain massively turns down the rhetoric and offers them a sweatheart deal.

[celedhring]

Poor Gibraltar, nobody's mentioned then yet. My prediction, they'll have a referendum to whether to join Spain or not, and they'll vote massively in favour.

I doubt it, unless Spain massively turns down the rhetoric and offers them a sweatheart deal.

But see, it's all about the rethoric, not actually getting Gibraltar back.

[mongers]

I feel like wanting to join a resistance movement. 

[Richard Hakluyt]

I feel like wanting to join a resistance movement. 

I've just gone out and bought some Spanish beer 

[mongers]

I feel like wanting to join a resistance movement. 

I've just gone out and bought some Spanish beer 

Solidarity Brother, every act of resistance brings our liberation nearer. 

[derspiess]

I'll pick up some Brit products this weekend to offset your treasonous acts!

[Grinning_Colossus]

I'll off-offset your purchases by boycotting British products this weekend. No Aston Martins or financial services for me!

[Ed Anger]

[OttoVonBismarck]

I'm not sure if this is more apt for the Brexit thread or here, but as I watch things unfolding I find it absolutely shocking, and frankly dereliction of duty, that in this time of national and international crisis Britain has no functional leadership. With none on the horizon.

I may be confused, but I did not think the role of Prime Minister was contingent on "when things were easy", and while I understand and view it as necessary that Cameron stepped down he needs to be governing until his replacement is in place. This isn't 1750, the ship of state cannot be without a man at the helm for a single day, let alone the something like 72 hours it's been now since Cameron essentially appears to have quit doing his job. No serious leadership from leading Leave politicians has emerged, other than we obviously see Johnson, Gove and others getting ready for a leadership fight. Labour appears at least somewhat likely to kick Corbyn back to the back bench.

Brexit is not actually in effect yet. The greatest issue roiling markets right now is uncertainty, and the British Prime Minister and the British government have it in their power to at least mitigate some of that uncertainty by doing their fucking jobs, but they appear to have simply quit--but while continuing to collect their paycheck. I think this borders on the worst behavior of any British PM in the last hundred years--potentially worse than Chamberlain, a decent man who simply made catastrophic decisions, but who never outright shirked his duty the way Cameron is doing.